Resumen Introducción: El objetivo fue evaluar el valor predic tivo del índice ROX (Ratio of Oxygen Saturation) y describir la evolución de una población de pacientes ingresados en cuidados intensivos por neumonía por COVID-19 que requirieron oxigenoterapia a alto flujo. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo en paci entes mayores de 18 años con hisopado nasofaríngeo positivo para SARS-CoV-2 que ingresaron a cuidados intensivos con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda y requi rieron oxigenoterapia con alto flujo por > 2 h. Resultados: De un total de 97 pacientes 42 (43.3%) respondieron satisfactoriamente al tratamiento con cánula nasal de alto flujo (CNAF) y 55 (56.7%) fracasa ron al tratamiento requiriendo intubación orotraqueal y soporte ventilatorio invasivo. De los 55 pacientes que fracasaron, 11 (20%) sobrevivieron y 44 (80%) fallecier on durante su internación en cuidados intensivos (p < 0.001). Ningún paciente que respondió satisfac toriamente al tratamiento con CNAF falleció durante su internación. El análisis ROC identificó el índice de ROX de las 12 horas como el mejor predictor de fracaso con un área bajo la curva de 0.75 (0.64-0.85) y un punto de corte de 6.23 como mejor predictor de intubación [sensibilidad 0.85 (IC 95% 0.70-0.94), especificidad 0.55 (IC 95% 0.39-0.70)]. Discusión: En pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda secundaria a neumonía por COVID-19 tratados con oxigenoterapia a alto flujo, el índice de ROX resultó un buen predictor de éxito.

Abstract Introduction: The objective was to evaluate the pre dictive value of the ROX index and describe the evolu tion of a population of patients admitted to intensive care for COVID-19 pneumonia who required high-flow oxygen therapy. Methods: Retrospective cohort study in patients older than 18 years with a positive nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-COV-2 who were admitted to intensive care unit with acute respiratory failure and required high-flow oxygen therapy for > 2 hours. Results: Of a total of 97 patients, 42 (43.3%) responded satisfactorily to treatment with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and 55 (56.7%) failed treatment, requiring orotra cheal intubation and invasive ventilatory support. Of the 55 patients who failed, 11 (20%) survived and 44 (80%) died during intensive care admission (p < 0.001). No patient who responded satisfactorily to HFNC treatment died during hospitalization. The ROC analysis identified the 12-hour ROX index as the best predictor of failure with an area under the curve of 0.75 (0.64-0.85) and a cut-off point of 6.23 as the best predictor of intubation [Sensitivity 0.85 (95% CI 0.70-0.94), Specificity 0.55 (95% CI 0.39-0.70)]. Discussion: In patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia treated with high-flow oxygen therapy, the ROX index was a good predictor of success.

Abstract During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there was a marked requirement for critical care beds, supplies and trained professionals to assist patients with severe respiratory failure. The Argentine Society of Intensive Care (SATI) designed a study to characterize these aspects in intensive care units (ICUs). Multicenter, prospective cohort study; the participating ICUs completed a form at the end of the study (31/10/2020) on hospital characteristics, number of beds in pre- and intra-pandemic critical areas, incorporation of professionals, technological resources, and workload. Fifty-eight ICUs participated; 28(48%) were located in Buenos Aires Province, 22(38%) in Buenos Aires Autonomous City and 10 (17%) in other provinces; 31 (53%) of UCIs belonged to the public sector; 23 (47%) to the private-social security. In 35/58 (60%) of the hospitals critical care beds increased from 902 to 1575 (75%), 37% in ICU and 63% mainly in Coronary Care Unit and Emergency-shock room. In 41/55 (75%) UCIs, staff were incorporated: 27(49%) physicians (70% intensivists), 36 (65%) nurses, 28 (51%) respiratory therapists, 20(36%) cleaning staff, and 1(2%) others. A 96% of the ICUS reported having sufficient ventilators and 95% enough sup plies and PPE. Of all patients on invasive mechanical ventilation, 55% [43-64] had COVID-19. Oxygen therapy was required as noninvasive support in 14% [8-24] of COVID-19 admissions. There was a significant expansion of critical operational areas, secondary to the increase in beds, staff, and adequate availability of ventilators and essential supplies. The burden of critical illness from COVID-19 was intense, with more than half of patients on mechanical ventilation.

Resumen Durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 hubo un marcado requerimiento de camas de cuidados críticos, insumos y profesionales entrenados para asistir a pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria grave. La Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva (SATI) diseñó un estudio para caracterizar estos aspectos en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCIs). Estudio multicéntrico, de cohorte prospectiva; las UCIs participantes completaron un formulario al final del estudio (31/10/2020) sobre características hospitalarias, número de camas de áreas críticas pre- e intra-pandemia, incorporación de profesionales, insumos y recursos tecnológicos, y carga de trabajo. Participaron 58 UCIs; 28(48%) de Provincia de Buenos Aires, 22(38%) de Ciudad Autónoma de Bue nos Aires, 10(17%) de otras; 31(53%) UCIs pertenecían al sector público; 23(47%) al privado-seguridad social. En 35/58(60%) hospitales las camas de cuidados críticos aumentaron de 902 a 1575(75%); 37% en UCI y 63% principalmente en Unidad Coronaria y Emergencias-shock room. En 41/55(75%) UCIs se incorporó personal: 27(49%) médicos/as (70% intensivistas), 36(65%) enfermeros/as, 28(51%) kinesiólogos/as, 20(36%) personal de limpieza, y 1(2%) otros/as; 96% de las UCIS reportaron disponer de respiradores suficientes, y 95%, insumos y EPP suficientes. De todos los pacientes en ventilación mecánica invasiva, 55% [43-64] presentaron COVID-19. Se requirió oxigenoterapia como soporte no invasivo en 14% [8-24] de los ingresos por COVID-19. Se registró una importante expansión de las áreas críticas operativas, secundariamente al aumento de camas, personal, y adecuada disponibilidad de respiradores e insumos esenciales. La carga de la enfermedad crítica por COVID-19 fue intensa, constituyendo más de la mitad de los pacientes en ventilación mecánica.

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar en un contexto de práctica clínica la ventaja de supervivencia para pacientes con cáncer de próstata resistente a castración (CPRC) tratado activamente con diversos tratamientos que incluyen acetato de abiraterona (AA) y prednisona con o sin docetaxel. Material y método: Se analiza la supervivencia de pacientes con CPRC y se compara un grupo tratado con AA y prednisona (n = 33) con un control histórico formado por pacientes consecutivos tratados una década antes en la misma institución exclusivamente con retirada de antiandrógeno y medidas paliativas (n = 31). Se analizan variables clínico-patológicas predictivas de pronóstico en la población activamente tratada. Se evalúa la respuesta global a AA y el intervalo libre de progresión radiológica. Resultados: La supervivencia cáncer específica a 2 años fue 79% para pacientes tratados activamente y 17,2% para control (log-rank, p < 0,0001). Cinco de 13 pacientes con AA post-docetaxel (38,5%) recibieron después de AA quimioterapia de segunda línea (4 cabazitaxel y 1 vinorelbina) y 1 (7,7%) hormonoterapia con enzalutamida. Tres de 20 pacientes tratados con AA sin quimioterapia (15%) recibieron enzalutamida y solo 1 (5%) fue tratado con docetaxel. Los pacientes de menor edad (<65años; p = 0,02) y sin metástasis al diagnóstico (p = 0,04) tuvieron mejor pronóstico. Aquellos de PSA más alto (>45ng/ml; p = 0,09) y patrón de Gleason 5 en la biopsia se comportaron de manera más desfavorable. Globalmente el 75,8% tuvieron respuesta a AA (80% pre- y 69,2% post-quimioterapia; p = 0,1) y el 52,4% estuvieron libre de progresión radiológica al año (47,9% pre y 49,8% post-quimioterapia; log-rank, p = 0,3). Conclusión: El tratamiento de pacientes con CPRC prolonga la expectativa de supervivencia en un entorno de práctica clínica y es posible identificar factores predictivos de pronóstico en estos pacientes.

Abstract Purpose: To assess, in a clinical practice context, the survival advantages of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) actively treated with several treatments that include abiraterone acetate (AA) and prednisone, with or without docetaxel. Material and Methods: An analysis was performed on patient survival with CRPC, and was compared to a group treated with AA and prednisone (n = 33), with a historical control treated exclusively with anti-androgen withdrawal and palliative measures (n = 31). In the population actively treated, variables predictive of prognosis were analysed, as well as an evaluation of the overall response to AA and radiographic progression-free survival. Results: Cancer-specific survival at 2 years was 79% for patients actively treated and 17.2% for control group (P<.0001). Five (38.5%) of 13 patients treated with AA post-docetaxel received second-line chemotherapy after AA (4 cabazitaxel, 1 vinorelbine), and one (7.7%) enzalutamide. Three (15%) of 20 patients treated with AA without chemotherapy received enzalutamide and 1(5%) docetaxel. The younger patients (<65yrs; P=.02) without metastases at diagnosis (P=.04) had better prognoses. Patients with higher PSA levels (>45 ng/ml; P=.09) and a Gleason pattern 5 in the biopsy had less favourable outcomes. There was a 75.8% over response to AA (80% preand 69.2%post-chemotherapy; P=.1), and 69.2%post-chemotherapy; P=.1), and 52.4% were radiographic progression-free at 1 year of treatment (47.9% pre- and 49.8% post-chemotherapy; P=.3). Conclusion: Treatment of CRPC patients extends survival expectations in a clinical practice setting and prognostic predictors can be identified in these patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess patient satisfaction and functional results at long term follow-up after surgical correction for Peyronie's disease (PD) and congenital penile curvature (CPC) with the technique of tunical plication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and two men operated for PD (n = 76) or CPC (n = 26) in four different departments of urology in public hospitals agreed to answer a six-question telephone questionnaire about treatment satisfaction. Tunica albuginea plication procedures represented the standard surgical approach. Subjects under investigation were correction of the deformity, feeling of bumps under the skin, pain during erection, penile sensory changes, development of erectile dysfunction (ED) and postoperative ability for complete vaginal intromission. Subjective response rates were compared using the chi square test on the basis of the etiology of the disease (CPC or PD). RESULTS: Significant differences (p < 0.05) between patients with CPC and PD were noticed in the prevalence of postoperative penile deformity, sensory changes, ED and ability to complete vaginal intromission, PD patients always showing a more pessimistic view. No significant differences (p = ns) were detected in terms of unpleasant nodes under the penile skin or pain during erection. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcome after surgical correction for PD and CPC with the technique of tunical plication can be poor. Probably patient expectations are above the real performance of surgical techniques. Preoperative information should be more exhaustive.