Enteral nutrition and refeeding syndrome in a patient with anorexia nervosa and COVID-19

Introduction: the evidence on the health problem-related prevalence of COVID-19 is an emergency. Case report: we present the case of a 28-year-old woman who had had a behavioral eating disorder (BED) since age 12. Her body mass index (BMI) was 13.6 kg/m2. She was hospitalized for a respiratory condition (bronchospasm) due to COVID-19, with supplementary oxygen at two liters. During her stay, she refused food and was started on standard enteral nutrition via a naso-gastric tube. She developed refeeding syndrome (RFS), which was managed with electrolytes, and her enteral diet was changed to a low-carbohydrate high-protein diet. She received psychological therapy through video calls, recovered, and was discharged to home. Discussion: refeeding complications increase when a high caloric rate is begun. The standard enteral formula has 54% carbohydrates, which contributes to the risk of developing RFS. The consequences of BED and COVID-19 are unknown, and it is likely to become more evident over time. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 48. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2023.2626).

COVID-19 and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

In december 2019, a new disease erupted in Wuhan, China, caused by coronavirus 2019 (CO-VID-19), which produces severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). Some cases associate COVID-19 with autoimmune disorders; the role of this virus in autoimmunity is poorly understood. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder. Baricitinib is a Janus kinase inhibitor (JAK) approved for the treatment of autoimmune and inflam matory disorders, recently used for treating severe COVID-19 disease. We discuss four cases of SLE with COVID-19, two of whom were admitted to the intensive care unit and died, with a history of lupus nephritis; the following two cases survived. The risk fac tors which increase mortality in SLE are not yet known; however, lupus nephritis was associated with COVID-19 mortality. More studies are needed to understand the risk between autoimmune disorders and COVID-19. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2551).

Desde diciembre de 2019 estalló en Wuhan, China, una nueva enfermedad causada por corona-virus 2019 (COVID-19), causante del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo (SARS-CoV-2). Algunos casos asocian al COVID-19 a trastornos autoinmunes, el papel de este virus en la autoinmunidad está poco dilucidada. El lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es una enfermedad autoinmune. El baricitinib es una molécula inhibidora de quinasa de Janus (JAK) aprobada para el tratamiento de trastornos autoinmunitarios e inflamatorios, recientemente utilizado para el manejo de la enfermedad grave por COVID-19. Se trata de cuatro casos de LES con COVID-19, dos de las cuales ingresaron a la unidad de cuidados intensivos y fallecieron con antecedente de nefritis lúpica, los dos casos siguientes so brevivieron. Aún se desconocen los factores de riesgo que incrementan la mortalidad en LES; sin embargo, se asoció nefritis lúpica con mortalidad en COVID-19. Se requieren más estudios para comprender el riesgo entre las enfermedades autoinmunes y COVID-19. (Acta Med Colomb 2022; 47. DOI:https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2022.2551).

Efecto del óxido nítrico inhalado en la mecánica ventilatoria y oxigenación de pacientes con hipoxemia grave refractaria a prono prolongado y bloqueo neuromuscular secundario a infección por SARS-CoV-2 / Effect of inhaled nitric oxide on ventilatory mechanics and oxygenation of patients with severe hypoxemia refractory to prolonged prone and neuromuscular blockade secondary to SARS-CoV-2 / Efeito do óxido nítrico inalado na mecânica ventilatória e oxigenação de pacientes com hipoxemia grave refratária a pronação prolongada e bloqueio neuromuscular secundário à infecção por SARS-CoV-2

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Abstract: Introduction: Among the patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, 14.6% were admitted to intensive care unit. this 29 to 75% required invasive mechanical ventilation with an associated mortality of 12 to 81%. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the most serious form of presentation. The pathophysiology of ARDS secondary to SARS-CoV-2 differs from conventional causes. It presents dysregulation in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, secondary acute pulmonary hypertension and microthrombotic phenomena. The development of refractory severe hypoxemia (PaO2 < 60 mmHg or PaO2/FiO2 < 100 mmHg, with FiO2 80 to 100%, with PEEP > 10 to 20 cmH2O for at least 10 to 12 hours) constitutes the scenario of maximum severity with an associated mortality of 71 to 94%. The use of rescue strategies that impact on the specific pathophysiology of this entity such as the use of inhaled nitric oxide, neuromuscular blockade and prone ventilation have emerged as therapeutic targets of interest. Protective mechanical ventilation (plateau pressure [Pplat] < 27 cmH2O and driving pressure [DP] < 15 cmH2O) continues to be the cornerstone of the management. Objectives: To determine whether there is an association between the use of inhaled nitric oxide and prone ventilation with ventilatory mechanics in patients with severe refractory hypoxemia secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Material and methods: A historical, retrospective, descriptive, comparative and retrolective cohort study was carried out. Data from the records of patients admitted to the Respiratory ICU of the ABC Medical Center with a diagnosis of ARDS secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection who required iNO and mechanical ventilation in prone from April 1 to December 31, 2020 were analyzed. A univariate analysis was performed, the statistical analysis was performed in SPSS v 21, measures of trend, dispersion were analyzed as well as the analysis of risk factors with Student's t test and χ2. Results: A total of 108 patients were analyzed, of which 54 received iNO, neuromuscular blockade and prone and 54 only neuromuscular blockade and prone ventilation. 81.5% (n = 88) were men. The most common comorbidity was diabetes mellitus in 51.9% (n = 56). The increase in oxygenation (delta PaO2/FiO2) was with a median of 31.9 ± 15.2 mmHg in the iNO group and 52.9 ± 16.74 mmHg in the control group (p = 0.001). The postintervention Pplat in the iNO group was 26.3 ± 3 and 34.5 ± 1.9 cmH2O in the control group (p = 0.792). The preintervention DP in the iNO group was 17.2 ± 3.9 and 13.4 ± 2.8 cmH2O in control group vs 13.1 ± 1.29 and 12 ± 1.92 cmH2O after the intervention (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The use of iNO in patients with severe hypoxemia refractory to prone ventilation and neuromuscular blockade did not produce a statistically significant improvement in oxygenation, however it allowed to reprogram the ventilatory support to keep the patient in goals of alveolar protection.

Resumo: Introdução: 14.6% dos pacientes infectados com SARS-CoV-2 são internados em terapia intensiva. Destes, 29 a 75% necessitam de ventilação mecânica invasiva com mortalidade associada de 12 a 81%. A síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA) é a forma mais grave de apresentação. A fisiopatologia da SDRA secundária ao SARS-CoV-2 difere das causas convencionais. Apresenta desregulação na vasoconstrição pulmonar hipóxica, hipertensão pulmonar aguda secundária e fenômenos microtrombóticos. O desenvolvimento de hipoxemia grave refratária (PaO2 < 60 mmHg ou PaO2/FiO2 < 100 mmHg, com FiO2 de 80 a 100%, PEEP > 10 a 20 cmH2O por pelo menos 10 a 12 horas) constitui o cenário mais grave com mortalidade associada de 71 a 94%. O uso de estratégias de resgate que impactam na fisiopatologia específica dessa entidade, como o uso de óxido nítrico inalatório (NOi), bloqueio neuromuscular e ventilação prona, surgiram como alvos terapêuticos de interesse. A ventilação mecânica protetora (Pressão de Platô [PPLAT] < 27 cmH2O e Pressão de Condução [CP] < 15 cmH2O) continua sendo a base de seu manejo. Objetivo: Determinar se existe associação entre o uso de óxido nítrico inalatório e ventilação prona prolongada com mecânica ventilatória em pacientes com hipoxemia refratária grave secundária à infecção por SARS-CoV-2. Material e métodos: Realizou-se um estudo de coorte histórico, retrospectivo, descritivo, comparativo e retroletivo. Analisaram-se dados dos prontuários de pacientes internados na UTI Respiratória do Centro Médico ABC com diagnóstico de SDRA secundária à infecção por SARS-CoV-2 que necessitaram de óxido nítrico inalatório e ventilação mecânica prona no período de 1o de abril a 31 de dezembro de 2020. Realizou-se uma análise univariada , a análise estatística foi realizada no SPSS v 21, foram analisadas as medidas de tendência e dispersão, assim como a análise dos fatores de risco com teste t de Student e χ2. Resultados: Analisaram-se 108 pacientes, dos quais 54 receberam NOi, bloqueio neuromuscular e prono e 54 apenas bloqueio neuromuscular e ventilação prona. 81.5% (n = 88) eram homens. A comorbidade mais comum foi diabetes mellitus em 51.9% (n = 56). O aumento da oxigenação (Delta PaO2/FiO2) foi com mediana de 31.9 ± 15.2 mmHg no grupo NOi e 52.9 ± 16.74 mmHg no grupo controle (p = 0.001). A PPLAT após a intervenção no grupo NOi foi de 26.3 ± 3 e 34.5 ± 1.9 cmH2O no grupo controle (p = 0.792). A PC antes da intervenção no grupo NOi foi de 17.2 ± 3.9 e 13.4 ± 2.8 cmH2O no grupo controle vs 13.1 ± 1.29 e 12 ± 1.92 cmH2O após a intervenção (p = 0.001). Conclusões: O uso de NOi em pacientes com hipoxemia grave refratária à ventilação em pronação e bloqueio neuromuscular não produziu melhora estatisticamente significativa na oxigenação, porém permitiu que o suporte ventilatório fosse reprogramado para manter as metas de proteção alveolar do paciente.