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Resumen INTRODUCCIÓN: La intoxicación por distintas drogas es una importante causa de morbimortalidad en la edad pediátrica. No obstante, la intoxicación por amlodipino, que es un fármaco dihidropiridinico del grupo de calcioantagonistas ampliamente usado, no se encuentra bien documentada en Ecuador. El tratamiento se basa en implementar medidas para el shock clásico, en conjunto con medidas específicas para este tipo de intoxicación. CASOS CLÍNICOS: Presentamos dos reportes de casos clínicos de pacientes adolescentes ingresadas en unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos (UCIP), por intento autolítico mediante ingesta de amlodipino en conjunto con otros fármacos. EVOLUCIÓN: Durante su estancia hospitalaria presentaron cuadros evolutivos distintos. En ambos casos se necesitó manejo con drogas vasoactivas, modificando su dosis de acuerdo a respuesta clínica. En los dos casos se administró gluconato de calcio por horario y otras medidas de soporte descritas en el presente manuscrito. Finalmente, las dos pacientes presentaron buena evolución y fueron dadas de alta, con previa valoración y seguimiento de psicología y psiquiatría. CONCLUSIÓN: La intoxicación por amlodipino ha sido descrita escasamente debido a su baja frecuencia, a esto se añade el poco conocimiento basado en evidencia; motivos que la constituyen como un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico. Destacamos, en base a nuestra experiencia, la importancia de un alto índice de sospecha y de priorizar el inicio de vasopresores sobre la reanimación hídrica. Adicionalmente, recomendamos documentar la dosis exacta de ingesta e indagar sobre el consumo de otros fármacos para clasificar adecuadamente la gravedad de la intoxicación y establecer un plan de tratamiento. Finalmente, la monitorización y evaluación clínica constante y el apoyo de exámenes de laboratorio guiarán la conducta.(au)

BACKGROUND: Drug poisoning is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. However, amlodipine poisoning, a widely used dihydropyridine calcium chanel blocker, is not fully documented in Ecuador. Treatment consists of classic measures for shock management and specific measures for this type of intoxication. CASE REPORTS: We present two case reports, both of teenage patients admitted into the pediatric intensive care unit for suicide attempt by taking amlodipine and some other drugs. EVOLUTION: During hospital stay, they presented a different evolutionary course. In both cases vasoactive drugs were needed, dosage was modified according to clinical course. Also in both patients, calcium gluconate was administered along with other support measures described in this paper. Finally, both patients presented a good outcome and were discharged after psychological and psychiatric assessment and follow up. CONCLUSION: The low frequency of amlodipine poisoning and the lack of evidence-based knowledge, constitute it as a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Based on our experience, we highlight the importance of early suspicion and prioritizing the use of vasopressors over fluid resuscitation. Additionally, we recommend documenting the exact dose of intake and inquiring about consumption of other drugs to properly classify the severity of the poisoning and stablish the treatment plan. Finally, constant clinical monitoring and support of laboratory tests will guide the conduct.(au)

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Intimate connections between culture and health are complicated by various understandings of the human body, divergent beliefs about reality and place-bound theories about healing. Health care systems in various countries are modified with a goal of creating 'hybrid' structures that make room for traditional practices within a dominant Western model. But genuine intercultural health care is elusive. In Ecuador, a country with great cultural and geographic diversity, the culture-health spectrum is broad and bumpy. This is especially evident in health care politics, education and administration. A constitution adopted in 2008 aims for inclusivity and equality by incorporating indigenous concepts of the 'good life' and ideals of an intercultural society. These new values and perspectives should be reflected in economics, law, education and health care. But these concepts confront a racial, political and economic history that has delegitimized indigenous systems of knowledge and belief. This paper contrasts 'ideal' and 'real' intercultural health care using case studies of the Tsáchila, an indigenous group in coastal Ecuador. The conclusion is that 'ideal' intercultural health care, as reflected in medical school education and clinical practice, is a superficial attempt at dialogue and understanding between indigenous and western medicine. 'Real' intercultural health care involves a more profound level of mutual respect and cross-cultural understanding that aims for symmetry in patient-doctor relationships. Insights from medical anthropology guide the authors through a critical analysis that addresses interculturality as a political issue and a political struggle that the Tsáchilas - like other indigenous groups - are losing.

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OBJECTIVES: In low-income countries, snakebites are frequently managed in rural areas in health centers with severely constrained resources. Many healthcare providers in these settings have limited access to the numerous and relatively expensive laboratory studies used to diagnose envenomation. The relatively simple and inexpensive 20-minute whole blood clotting test (WBCT) has been recommended by several international organizations for the diagnosis of certain venomous snakebites. This study proposes to confirm the utility of the WBCT as the sole laboratory diagnostic tool to determine systemic envenomation in hematotoxic snakebite management in severely resource-constrained areas of the world. METHODS: The authors reviewed all 110 cases of snakebite during a 6-year period in a small hospital in rural Ecuador using the WBCT. RESULTS: All cases presented within 24 hours of snakebite. Twenty cases revealed normal coagulation with no clinical evidence of systemic envenomation. Ninety cases had no evidence of clot formation (positive WBCT) at 20 minutes, suggesting systemic envenomation. Of these 90 cases, according to a classification scale, 54 were mild, 26 were moderate, and 10 were severe envenomations requiring transfer to tertiary care. All mild and moderate systemic envenomations were successfully treated at the rural hospital. All severe envenomations were treated initially with antivenom before transfer to tertiary care. One patient with severe envenomation died in tertiary care. CONCLUSIONS: The WBCT was predictive of the presence or absence of systemic envenomation from snakebite in our region. The WBCT guided the successful management of mild and moderate systemic envenomation, and spared patients with no evidence of systemic envenomation from potential side effects of antivenom.

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