ABSTRACT Background: The Cardiac and Comorbid Conditions - Heart Failure (3C-HF) and the Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC) are two score models developed to predict mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). The performance of these scores has been little studied in our setting. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the 3C-HF and the MAGGIC scores to predict one-year mortality in a population of patients with H F. Methods: Ambulatory HF patients discharged after hospitalization due to acute HF in two centers were included in the study. The 3C-HF and MAGGIC scores were calculated and one-year mortality was the study endpoint. The discrimination ability of the scores was analyzed from the calculated area under the ROC curve and their calibration quality was assessed applying the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Both areas under the ROC curve were compared using the Hanley-Mc Neil test. Results: A total of 704 patients with mean age of 73±11 years and 39.6% women were included in the study. One-year mortal-ity was 12.4% (n=87). Both scores were independent predictors of mortality, with HR of 1.03 (95% CI 1.008-1.06; p=0.02) and 1.08 (95% CI 1.02-1.13; p=0.004) for the 3C-HF and MAGGIC scores, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for the 3C-HF score was 0.70 (95% CI 0.64-0.75) and for the MAGGIC score 0.67 (95% CI 0.61-0.73), without significant differences between them (p=0.41). Both scores presented adequate calibration (p=0.06 and p=0.32, respectively). Conclusion: The 3C-HF and MAGGIC scores were predictors of one-year mortality, with a moderate ability to discriminate events and adequate calibration. The discrimination ability between both scores was not significant.

RESUMEN Introducción: El Cardiac and Comorbid Conditions - Heart Failure (3C-HF) y el Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure (MAGGIC) son dos sistemas de puntaje desarrollados para predecir la mortalidad en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca (IC). El desempeño de estos puntajes ha sido poco estudiado en nuestro medio. Objetivo: Evaluar el desempeño del 3C-HF y del MAGGIC para predecir la mortalidad al año en una población de pacientes con IC. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de IC ambulatorios y dados de alta luego de una internación por IC aguda atendidos en dos centros. Se calcularon los puntajes 3C-HF y MAGGIC. Se evaluó como punto final la mortalidad global al año. La capacidad de discriminación de estos puntajes se analizó a partir del cálculo del área bajo la curva (ABC) ROC, y la calidad de su calibración, aplicando el test de Hosmer-Lemeshow. Se compararon ambas ABC mediante el test de Hanley-Mc Neil. Resultados: Se incluyeron 704 pacientes con una edad promedio de 73 ± 11 años, el 39,6% eran mujeres. La mortalidad al año fue del 12,4% (n = 87). Ambos puntajes fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad, con HR de 1,03 (IC95% 1,008-1,06; p = 0,02) y 1,08 (IC95% 1,02-1,13; p = 0,004) para el puntaje 3C-HF y el MAGGIC, respectivamente. El 3C-HF presentó un ABC de 0,70 (IC95% 0,64-0,75) y el MAGGIC de 0,67 (IC95% 0,61-0,73), sin diferencias entre las ABC (p = 0,41). Ambos presentaron adecuada calibración (p = 0,06 y p = 0,32, respectivamente). Conclusión: Los puntajes 3C-HF y MAGGIC fueron predictores de mortalidad a un año, con una moderada capacidad de discriminar eventos y una adecuada calibración. No hubo diferencias en la capacidad de discriminación entre ambos puntajes.

Abstract Heat exchanger networks present an interesting control problem due to coupling among process streams. In this work, the linear quadratic regulator (LQR), a feedback optimal control technique, is used to control stream temperatures on a laboratory scale heat exchanger network, through bypass manipulation, in a multivariable system. The LQR design was based on a mathematical model of the plant and its performance was compared to traditional PID control and to dynamical decoupling. Experimental tests were performed to evaluate the controllers, involving regulatory and servo problems. The performance of the different controllers was quantitatively compared by using the integral absolute error. Although LQR is not a new control methodology, the results obtained in this work suggest that LQR is an interesting alternative to control HEN when compared to the PID and to the dynamic decoupler. Moreover, one of the main advantages of the LQR is its tuning simplicity, since only one parameter is sufficient for this application.

RACIONAL: Atualmente são raras as vezes em que é necessária a realização de uma gastrectomia, já que os inibidores da bomba de prótons associados aos esquemas antibióticos usados para erradicar o Helicobacter pylori, mudaram o enfoque do tratamento da úlcera péptica. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar tardiamente os doentes submetidos a gastrectomia parcial no tratamento da úlcera péptica, em época em que o Helicobacter pylori ainda não era erradicado de forma intencional, incluindo os sintomas pós-operatórios em comparação com os pré-operatórios e a incidência de síndromes pós-gastrectomias; avaliação endoscópica, incluindo o tipo de cirurgia realizada e os achados macroscópicos da mucosa do coto gástrico, duodeno ou jejuno, dependendo do tipo de reconstrução; avaliação histopatológica, incluindo a pesquisa da bactéria por dois métodos: histológico e teste de urease; e sua possível associação presente no estômago remanescente com as avaliações clínica, endoscópica e histopatológica pós-operatórias. CASUÍSTICAS E MÉTODOS: Cinqüenta e nove doentes gastrectomizados por úlcera péptica entre os anos de 1985 e 1993 foram avaliados, sendo que 44 (74,6%) eram do sexo masculino e tinham idade média de 55 anos, com variação de 31 a 77 anos, passaram por entrevista clínica e por exame endoscópico. O Helicobacter pylori foi pesquisado nas peças cirúrgicas ressecadas, para constatação da sua presença ou não no pré-operatório. RESULTADOS: A avaliação clínica no pós-operatório tardio mostrou que 96% dos doentes apresentaram excelentes e bons resultados (Visick I e II). Os sintomas pós-operatórios mais comuns foram dispepsia leve e outras queixas, como diarréia, anemia e dumping, que ocorreram, respectivamente, em 11 (18,6%), 2 (3,4%) e 2 (3,4%) casos. A reconstrução tipo Billroth I trouxe melhores resultados clínicos tardios, quando comparada com as reconstruções tipo Billroth II e Y-de-Roux. Na avaliação endoscópica, a maioria dos doentes (52,5%) apresentou exame normal, enquanto que os demais apresentaram gastrites enantematosa (37,3%) e erosiva (8,5%). Recidiva ulcerosa ocorreu em dois doentes (3,4%). Na análise histopatológica, foi observada incidência elevada de gastrite crônica (98,3%). A presença de Helicobacter pylori ocorreu em 86% dos doentes antes da cirurgia e em 89,8% no pós-operatório tardio. CONCLUSÕES: Os doentes gastrectomizados apresentaram boa evolução clínica pós-operatória tardia. A gastrectomia parcial com reconstrução tipo Billroth I foi a que trouxe melhores resultados clínicos a longo prazo. O Helicobacter pylori, apesar de estar presente no coto gástrico em 89,8% dos casos, não influenciou de forma negativa nos resultados clínicos, endoscópicos ou histopatológicos no pós-operatório tardio.

BACKGROUND: The gastrectomy is an uncommon procedure because the proton bomb inhibitors associated to the antibiotic outlines used to eradicate the Helicobacter pylori changed the focus of the peptic ulcer treatment. AIMS: Later evaluation on those patients who underwent partial gastrectomy as a treatment for peptic ulcer, at that time when any drug to eradicate the Helicobacter pylori was not used. The clinical evaluation included the late postoperative symptoms and postgastrectomy syndromes like dumping, diarrhea, alkaline gastritis and nutritional aspects. The upper digestive endoscopy analysed the surgery reconstruction and the gastric stump, the duodenum and the jejunum mucosa aspects. The histopathological evaluation included looking for Helicobacter pylori by using two different methods: histology and urease test. CASUISTIC AND METHODS: Fifty-nine patients, 44 (74.6%) male, median age 55.5 years old (range from 31 to 77 years old), who underwent a clinical interview and an upper digestive endoscopy. Paraffin blocks from the surgical specimen were reviewed in order to find out if the patients did have or did not have Helicobacter pylori before surgery. RESULTS: The final results show that most of the patients had very good and good clinical evolution (Visick I e II) in 96%. The most common symptoms on late postoperative are mild dyspepsia with or without Helicobacter pylori, and diarrhea, anemia and dumping occurred in, respectively, 11 (18.6%), 2 (3.4%) and 2 (3.4%) cases. The Billroth I reconstruction had the best clinical results on statistical rate. The endoscopic finding showed normal results in the most number of cases, and reflux alkaline gastritis or erosive gastritis in a few cases. Ulcer recurrences were diagnosed in two patients (3.4%), and both had positive Helicobacter pylori. Most of the patients had Helicobacter pylori (86%) before surgery and also in the postoperative time (89.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The patients had a very good clinical evolution after the gastrectomy. The Billroth I reconstruction had the best clinical results. The Helicobacter pylori is still present on gastric stump in late postoperative time, and we believe that it does not bring any negative influence to surgical results.