ABSTRACT Objectives. To compare the occurrence of death, bleeding, and recurrence according to inpatient or outpatient management of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE). Materials and methods . Retrospective cohort that included a consecutive sampling of VTE consultations between 2016 and 2019 diagnosed in the Emergency Center of a private hospital in Argentina. Results. There were 1202 cases, 908 with isolated deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 205 with isolated pulmonary embolism (PE), and 89 cases of combined DVT - PE. 66% were women, with a median age of 77 years; 72% of cases were managed on an outpatient basis (n= 862). Comorbidities associated with hospitalization were obesity (p=0.03), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (p=0.01), heart failure (CHF) (p=0.01), chronic renal failure (CKD) (p=0.01), and cancer (p=0.01). At 90 days, the cumulative incidence of bleeding was 2.6% in inpatient compared to 2.9% in outpatient management (p=0.81); recurrence was 0% versus 0.9% (p=0.07), and mortality was 42.9% versus 18.9%, respectively (p=0.01). The HR for 90-day mortality in hospitalized patients adjusted for confounders (sex, age, type of VTE, obesity, CKD, CHF, COPD, and cancer) was 1.99 (95% CI 1.49-2.64; p=0.01). Conclusions. In this elderly, and predominantly female Argentine population, the 90-day mortality in patients hospitalized for VTE was higher than mortality in patients with outpatient management, without differences in recurrence or major bleeding.

ABSTRACT The aim was to explore the scope and limitations of teleconsultation during the pandemic from the perspective of primary care physicians at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, a private institution located in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. A qualitative study was conducted with ten individual semi-structured interviews between January and April 2022. The three major emerging topics were the transition to virtuality, accessibility, and the new care model. Obstacles were related to the massive, forced, and unplanned implementation of teleconsultations. The main benefits included providing care during isolation-distancing and addressing epidemiological doubts. Changes were highlighted in care strategies, consultation frameworks, exchange among colleagues, referral criteria, requests for complementary studies, and in the profiles of those seeking consultations. A misuse of the system by individuals and a trivialization of the consultation moment emerged. The rise of communication and information technologies undoubtedly allowed the continuity of healthcare processes, but it does not replace in-person care, and normative guidelines are needed for its continuity.

RESUMEN El objetivo fue explorar alcances y limitaciones de la teleconsulta en pandemia, desde la perspectiva de médicos y médicas del primer nivel de atención del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, una institución privada ubicada en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo con diez entrevistas semiestructuradas individuales entre enero y abril de 2022. Los tres grandes tópicos emergentes fueron la transición a la virtualidad, la accesibilidad y el nuevo modelo de atención. Los obstáculos se relacionaron con la implementación masiva, forzada y no planificada de las teleconsultas. Los principales beneficios fueron brindar atención durante el aislamiento-distanciamiento y evacuar dudas epidemiológicas. Se destacan cambios en estrategias de atención, encuadre de las consultas, intercambio entre colegas, criterios de derivación y de pedido de estudios complementarios, y en los perfiles de consultantes. Surgió un sobreuso del sistema por parte de las personas, y una banalización del momento de la consulta. El auge de las tecnologías de la comunicación e información indudablemente permitió dar continuidad a los procesos asistenciales en salud, pero no reemplaza la presencialidad y se requieren lineamientos normativos para su continuidad.

RESUMEN El objetivo fue explorar alcances y limitaciones de la teleconsulta en pandemia, desde la perspectiva de médicos y médicas del primer nivel de atención del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, una institución privada ubicada en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo con diez entrevistas semiestructuradas individuales entre enero y abril de 2022. Los tres grandes tópicos emergentes fueron la transición a la virtualidad, la accesibilidad y el nuevo modelo de atención. Los obstáculos se relacionaron con la implementación masiva, forzada y no planificada de las teleconsultas. Los principales beneficios fueron brindar atención durante el aislamiento-distanciamiento y evacuar dudas epidemiológicas. Se destacan cambios en estrategias de atención, encuadre de las consultas, intercambio entre colegas, criterios de derivación y de pedido de estudios complementarios, y en los perfiles de consultantes. Surgió un sobreuso del sistema por parte de las personas, y una banalización del momento de la consulta. El auge de las tecnologías de la comunicación e información indudablemente permitió dar continuidad a los procesos asistenciales en salud, pero no reemplaza la presencialidad y se requieren lineamientos normativos para su continuidad.

ABSTRACT The aim was to explore the scope and limitations of teleconsultation during the pandemic from the perspective of primary care physicians at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, a private institution located in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. A qualitative study was conducted with ten individual semi-structured interviews between January and April 2022. The three major emerging topics were the transition to virtuality, accessibility, and the new care model. Obstacles were related to the massive, forced, and unplanned implementation of teleconsultations. The main benefits included providing care during isolation-distancing and addressing epidemiological doubts. Changes were highlighted in care strategies, consultation frameworks, exchange among colleagues, referral criteria, requests for complementary studies, and in the profiles of those seeking consultations. A misuse of the system by individuals and a trivialization of the consultation moment emerged. The rise of communication and information technologies undoubtedly allowed the continuity of healthcare processes, but it does not replace in-person care, and normative guidelines are needed for its continuity.

Resumen Introducción: La hipoglucemia hospitalaria (HH) es un problema importante ya que se vincula a muerte hospitalaria, estadía prolongada y mayores costos, en personas con y sin diabetes, en área crítica y sala general, sobre todo en los casos de hipoglucemia grave. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo fue comparar la mortalidad hospitalaria, pase a área crítica y tiempo de internación en adultos con HH, según la gravedad de la misma. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectiva en pacientes adultos interna dos con hipoglucemia en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires entre 2013 y 2018. Se definieron tres grupos de hipoglucemia: leve (glucemia entre 70 y 54 mg/dl), grave (glucemia < 54 mg/dl ≥ 40 mg/dl) y crítica (glucemia < 40mg/dl). Resultados: Un total de 5994 pacientes tuvieron HH, la mayoría presentó hipoglucemia leve (72%). La hipoglucemia grave y la crítica, comparadas con la hipoglucemia leve se asociaron a una mayor mortalidad: OR 2.6 (IC95% 2.2-3.1) y 4.2 (IC95% 3.5-5.0) respectivamente; y a mayor internación en áreas de cuidados críticos: OR 1.6 (IC95% 1.4-1.9) y 3.2 (IC95% 2.6-4.0) respectivamente. No hubo diferencias en el tiempo de internación. Discusión: Esta información aporta evidencia en nuestro país, sobre el valor pronóstico de la hipo glucemia, cuya mayor gravedad se asocia a mayor internación en áreas críticas y mayor mortalidad hospitalaria.

Abstract Background: Hospital hypoglycemia (HH) is an important problem since it is linked to hospital death, prolonged stay and higher costs, both in people with and without diabetes, in the critical area and general ward, especially in cases of severe hypoglycemia. The objective of our work was to compare hospital mortality, transfer to the critical area and hospitalization periods in adults with HH according to its severity. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort of adults hospitalized with hypoglycemia at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires between 2013 and 2018. Three groups of hypoglycemia were defined: mild (glycemia between 70 and 54 mg/dl), severe (glycemia < 54 mg/dl and ≥ 40 mg/dl) and critical (glycemia<40mg/dl). Results: A total of 5994 patients had HH, the majority presented mild hypoglycemia (72%). Severe and critical hypoglycemia, compared with mild hypo glycemia, were associated with higher mortality: OR 2.6 (95%CI 2.2-3.1) and 4.2 (95%CI 3.5-5.0) respectively; and increased hospitalization in critical care areas: OR 1.6 (95%CI 1.4-1.9) and 3.2 (95%CI 2.6-4.0) respectively. There were no differences in length of stay. Discussion: This information provides, in our country, evidence on the prognostic value of hypoglycemia, whose greater severity is associated with increased hospitalization in critical areas and higher hospital mortality.

Abstract The main objective was to estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among patients with COVID-19, to explore associ ated factors; and to describe clinical evolution of hospitalized patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted, which included adults confirmed with COVID-19 between 03/12/2020 and 10/15/2020, at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. From 6009 people with COVID-19, 408 had previous diagnosis of DM, yielding a prevalence of 6% (95%CI 6-7), higher prevalence was associated with age (12% in ≥ 60 years and 3% in < 60 years; p = 0.01). In-hospital mortality was 6% (95%CI 6-7), being 15% in DM and 6% compared in non-diabetics (p < 0.01). As sociated factors with DM were cardiovascular variables such as male sex, hypertension, smoking, chronic renal failure, heart failure, previous coronary disease; and clinical variables proxy of frailty such as: age, dementia and previous institutionalization (all with p < 0.01). Only 23% (96/408) of DM had an HbA1c measurement in the last 3 months and 76% in the last year, with an average 8.6%, and 25% in goal (HbA1c ≤ 7%). Management was mostly in-hospital (59%), with an average hospital stay of 12 days, with the following complications during hospitalization: 6% presented a hypoglycemic value (< 70 mg/dl), 42% required oxygen therapy, 19 % went to intensive care unit, 15% required invasive mechanical ventilation (mean 11 days), and 25% (95%CI 20-31) of in-hospital mortality (mean 82 years).

Resumen El objetivo del trabajo fue estimar la prevalencia de diabetes mellitus (DM) entre los pacientes con COVID-19, explorar factores asociados y describir la evolución clínica de aquellos hospitalizados. Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal que incluyó adultos positivos para COVID-19 entre 12/03/2020 y 15/10/2020, en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. De un total de 6009 personas con COVID-19, 408 presentaron diagnóstico previo de DM, arrojando una prevalencia de 6% (IC95% 6-7%), con mayor prevalencia asociada a la edad (12% en ≥ 60 años y 3% en < 60 años; p = 0.01). La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue 6% (IC95% 6-7), siendo 15% en DM y 6% en no diabéticos (p < 0.01). Los factores asociados a la DM fueron variables, cardiovasculares, sexo masculino, hipertensión arterial, tabaquismo, insuficiencia renal crónica, insuficiencia cardíaca, enfermedad coronaria previa; y variables clínicas de fragilidad como edad, demencia e institucionalización previa (todas con p < 0.01). Solo el 23% (96/408) de los DM tuvo una medición de HbA1c en los últimos 3 meses y el 76% en el último año, con un promedio 8.6%, y un 25% en meta (HbA1c ≥ 7%). El manejo fue mayoritariamente intrahospitalario (59%), con un promedio de estadía hospitalaria de 12 días, con las siguientes complicaciones durante la hospitalización: 6% presentó un valor de hipoglucemia (< 70 mg/dl), 42% requirió oxigenoterapia, el 19% pasó a unidad cerrada, 15% requirió ARM (media de 11 días), y 25% (IC95% 20-31%) de mortalidad (promedio de 82 años).

Abstract The objective of this study was to reveal how the COVID-19 pandemic process affected the number of visits to an emergency department of a highly complex hospital located in the Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, to explore the char acteristics and reasons for consultation. The monthly number of visits between January 2019 and December 2020 was analyzed. The data showed a strong decrease in the number of visits (176 370 in 2019 and 95 421 in 2020), with an abrupt drop after the lockdown disposal (In aprilshowed the maximum reduction: 77.1%), and the different stages are reflected in the evolution (a consequence of quarantine), yielding a global annual reduc tion of 45.9%. The number of patients admitted by ambulances increased (5.1% in 2019 to 10.4% in 2020; p < 0.05), and consequently, the number of patients in the more complex sector (area B 2019: 5.3%, 2020: 11.5%; p < 0.01), as well as unscheduled hospitalizations from 6.8% (95% CI 6.7-6.9) to 12.1% in 2020 (95%CI11.8- 12.3), p < 0.01. The five most frequent reasons for consultation in 2020 were: fever (5.1%), odynophagia (4.7%), abdominal pain (2.6%), cough (1.8%) and headache (1.8%), probably all related to COVID-19. In conclusion, the number of emergency department visits decreased by half compared to the previous year.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue revelar cómo el COVID-19 afectó el número de visitas a un servicio de urgencias de un hospital de alta complejidad ubicado en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, explorar las características y los motivos de consulta. Se analizó el número mensual entre enero 2019 y diciem bre 2020. Los datos mostraron una fuerte disminución en el número de visitas (176 370 en 2019 y 95 421 en 2020), con una caída abrupta luego de disposición aislamiento social, preventivo y obligatorio (el mes de abril arrojó el máximo valor de reducción: 77.1%), y se reflejan las diferentes etapas evolutivas (consecuencia de la cuarentena), arrojando una reducción global anual del 45.9%. Sin embargo, aumentó el número de pacientes que ingresaron en ambulancias (5.1% en 2019 a 10.4% en 2020; p < 0.05), y, en consecuencia, los pacientes del sector de mayor complejidad (área B 2019: 5.3%, 2020: 11.5%; p < 0.01), y las hospitalizaciones no progra madas de 6.8% (IC95% 6.7-6.9) a 12.1% en 2020 (IC95% 11.8-12.3), p < 0.01. Los cinco motivos de consulta más frecuentes durante 2020 resultaron: fiebre (5.1%), odinofagia (4.7%), dolor abdominal (2.6%), tos (1.8%) y cefalea (1.8%), probablemente todos relacionados a COVID-19. En conclusión, se redujo a la mitad el número de visitas a urgencias en comparación con el año previo.

Background: Crowding in Emergency Departments (ED), results from the imbalance between the simultaneous demand for health care and the ability of the system to respond. The NEDOCS scale (National Emergency Department Crowding Scale) measures the degree of crowding in an ED. Aim: To describe ED Crowding characteristics, using the NEDOCS scale, in an Argentinean hospital. Material and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with all adult patient consultations between July 2013 and July 2014 at the ED of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. We included all hours in the analysis period (365 days x 24 h = 8,760). The NEDOCS value was calculated for each hour using an automatic algorithm and was quantified in a six points score. Levels 4 (overcrowded), 5 (severely overcrowded) and 6 (dangerously overcrowded) were defined as overcrowding. Contour plots analysis was applied to identify patterns. Results: During the study period, 124,758 visits to the ED were registered. Overcrowding was present in 57.7% (5,055) of the analyzed hours. A predominance of scores between four and five was observed between 10:00 and 24:00 hours. The months with predominance of overcrowding were June, July and August (southern winter). Conclusions: The calculation of the NEDOCS score and the analysis of its temporal distribution are highly relevant to identify opportunities for improvement and to develop mechanisms to prevent the highest categories of overcrowding.

Abstract Objetive To evaluate the association between delta variations in the parameters of 2 sinusal ECG with atrial fibrillation (AF) onset. Method Retrospective cohort of 9,975 adult patients and members of the prepaid system at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires from Argentina, who had at least 2 sinusal ECG between 2006 and 2011. Population was followed up for detection of AF. All measurements and electrocardiographic deltas (differences between the 2 ECG) were standardized. Hazard ratio (HR) was estimated for the development of AF for each delta of the different ECG parameters using a Cox regression model. Results During a median follow up of 3.5 years, 189 patients (1.89%) developed AF. Heart rate delta, ST interval delta and P wave amplitude were predictors of AF. Hazard ratio Adjusted for clinical characteristics and ECGbasal values was 0,86 (CI95%: 0.75-0.98, p = 0.024) for heart rate delta, 1.12 (CI95%: 0.98-1.27, p = 0.082) for ST interval delta and 1.21 (CI95%: 1.05-1.38, p = 0.006) for P wave amplitude delta. Conclusion Differences of heart rate and P wave amplitude between ECG's measurements may predict AF, independently of clinical features and ECGbasal values.

Resumen Objetivo Evaluar la asociación entre las diferencias de mediciones de 2 ECG separados en el tiempo, con el desarrollo de fibrilación auricular (FA). Método Cohorte retrospectiva de 9,975 pacientes adultos, afiliados a la prepaga del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina, con realización de al menos 2 ECG sinusales digitales entre 2006-2011. Se siguieron clínicamente para la detección de FA. Todas las mediciones electrocardiográficas y los deltas (diferencias entre los 2 ECG) fueron estandarizadas. Se estimaron los hazard ratio para desarrollo de FA, para cada delta de los distintos componentes electrocardiográficos utilizando un modelo de regresión de Cox. Resultados Durante una mediana de seguimiento de 3,5 años se detectaron 189 episodios de FA. El delta FC, delta intervalo ST y delta amplitud onda P se asociaron significativamente a FA. Ajustado por características clínicas y mediciones de ECG basal, el hazard ratio ajustado para FA fue 0.86 (IC95%: 0.75-0.98, p = 0.024) para delta FC; 1.12 (IC95%0.98-1.27, p = 0.082) para delta intervalo ST; y 1.21 (IC95%: 1.05-1.38, p = 0.006) para delta amplitud onda P. Conclusiones Las diferencias FC y amplitud onda P, entre mediciones de ECG, predicen FA en forma independiente de características clínicas y mediciones de ECG basal.