Revista médica de Chile
-
Revista médica de Chile · Feb 2023
Case Reports[Infective endocarditis with bivalvular involvement due to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. Report of one case].
The microbiology of infective endocarditis (IE) varies in different populations and depends on public health conditions and socioeconomic status. In low-income countries, oral Streptococci affect hearts with rheumatic valve disease in patients with poor dentition. In high-income countries, Staphylococci are the most common cause, affecting elderly and immunocompromised patients, or those with invasive devices. ⋯ We report a 62 year-old male patient with a history of exposure to animals, who developed an infective endocarditis with severe bivalve regurgitation and septic shock, requiring antimicrobials and surgical resolution. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from blood and valve vegetation cultures. The patient had a successful evolution and was discharged from the hospital.
-
Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained increasing scientific and general attention. Most studied forms of IF include alternate-day fasting, modified alternate-day fasting, and time-restricted eating (TRE). Several cardiometabolic effects of IF have been described in animal models and, to a lesser extent, in humans. ⋯ High heterogeneity in study designs was observed, particularly in studies with TRE, small sample sizes, and short-term interventions. Current evidence shows that IF confers a range of cardiometabolic benefits in humans. Weight loss, improvement of glucose homeostasis and lipid profile, are observed in the three types of IF protocols evaluated.
-
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia and is highly prevalent in elderly patients. It confers a higher risk for ischemic stroke, heart failure and death. The diagnosis and treatment of AF has been extensively studied and remain under constant revision. ⋯ This new family of drugs has clear benefits in terms of efficacy and safety compared with traditional vitamin K antagonists. Treatment of most common comorbidities in patients with AF such as advanced age, heart failure, diabetes, renal failure, and others are also analyzed. New therapies for AF will be shortly available.
-
Revista médica de Chile · Feb 2023
No seroconversion among healthcare workers exposed to SARS-CoV-2 during the early phase of the pandemic.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is associated with morbidity, hospitalizations, absenteeism, and mortality among healthcare workers (HCW). ⋯ There was no evidence of seroconversion in this group of HCW exposed to the risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Personal protective equipment and other measures used by the HCW were extremely useful for their protection in the initial phase of the pandemic.
-
Revista médica de Chile · Feb 2023
Case ReportsThe challenges faced after a major trauma at an expedition ship at a remote area. Report of one Case.
The challenges of practicing medicine in small ships on remote sites involve limited resources, lack of specialized support, and longer interactions with a patient in an isolated environment. This report describes the successful management of a patient who suffered a major injury after fell from the stairs in an expedition ship in the Southern Ocean in the Antarctic route. The patient was managed by the onboard physician for four days until the medical evacuation was possible.