Evaluation of the RSNA and CORADS classifications for COVID-19 on chest computed tomography in the Brazilian population

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between the two tomographic classifications for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CORADS) and Radiological Society of North America Expert Consensus Statement on Reporting Chest Computed Tomography (CT) Findings Related to COVID-19 (RSNA), in the Brazilian population and to assess the agreement between reviewers with different experience levels. METHODS: Chest CT images of patients with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-positive COVID-19 were categorized according to the CORADS and RSNA classifications by radiologists with different levels of experience and who were initially unaware of the RT-PCR results. The inter- and intra-observer concordances for each of the classifications were calculated, as were the concordances between classifications. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were included in this study. The RSNA classification showed an almost perfect inter-observer agreement between reviewers with similar experience levels, with a kappa coefficient of 0.892 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.788-0.995). CORADS showed substantial agreement among reviewers with similar experience levels, with a kappa coefficient of 0.642 (95% CI, 0.491-0.793). There was inter-observer variation when comparing less experienced reviewers with more experienced reviewers, with the highest kappa coefficient of 0.396 (95% CI, 0.255-0.588). There was a significant correlation between both classifications, with a Kendall coefficient of 0.899 (p<0.001) and substantial intra-observer agreement for both classifications. CONCLUSION: The RSNA and CORADS classifications showed excellent inter-observer agreement for reviewers with the same level of experience, although the agreement between less experience reviewers and the reviewer with the most experience was only reasonable. Combined analysis of both classifications with the first RT-PCR results did not reveal any false-negative results for detecting COVID-19 in patients.

Chest computed tomography in the diagnosis of COVID-19 in patients with false negative RT-PCR / Tomografia computadorizada de tórax no diagnóstico de COVID-19 em pacientes com resultado falso-negativo na RT-PCR

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the role of chest computed tomography in patients with COVID-19 who presented initial negative result in reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Methods A single-center, retrospective study that evaluated 39 patients with negative RT-PCR for COVID-19, who underwent chest computed tomography and had a final clinical or serological diagnosis of COVID-19. The visual tomographic classification was evaluated according to the Consensus of the Radiological Society of North America and software developed with artificial intelligence for automatic detection of findings and chance estimation of COVID-19. Results In the visual tomographic analysis, only one of them (3%) presented computed tomography classified as negative, 69% were classified as typical and 28% as indeterminate. In the evaluation using the software, only four (about 10%) had a probability of COVID-19 <25%. Conclusion Computed tomography can play an important role in management of suspected cases of COVID-19 with initial negative results in RT-PCR, especially considering those patients outside the ideal window for sample collection for RT-PCR.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o papel da tomografia computadorizada de tórax em pacientes com COVID-19 que apresentaram reação em cadeia da polimerase via transcriptase reversa (RT-PCR) inicial falsamente negativa. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo de centro único que avaliou 39 pacientes com RT-PCR negativa para COVID-19, submetidos à tomografia computadorizada de tórax e que tiveram diagnóstico final clínico ou serológico de COVID-19. A classificação tomográfica visual foi avaliada de acordo com o Consenso da Radiological Society of North America e o software desenvolvido com inteligência artificial para detecção automática de achados e estimativa de probabilidade de COVID-19. Resultados Na análise tomográfica visual, somente um deles (3%) apresentou tomografia computadorizada classificada como tendo resultado negativo, 69% foram classificados como típicos e 28% como indeterminados. Na avaliação com uso de software, somente quatro (cerca de 10%) tiveram probabilidade de COVID-19 <25%. Conclusão A tomografia computadorizada pode desempenhar papel importante no manejo de casos suspeitos de COVID-19 com RT-PCR inicialmente negativa, principalmente levando-se em consideração os pacientes que estão fora da janela ideal para coleta de amostra para RT-PCR.

Lung lesion burden found on chest ct as a prognostic marker in hospitalized patients with high clinical suspicion of COVID-19 pneumonia: a brazilian experience

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between lung lesion burden (LLB) found on chest computed tomography (CT) and 30-day mortality in hospitalized patients with high clinical suspicion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), accounting for tomographic dynamic changes. METHODS: Patients hospitalized with high clinical suspicion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in a dedicated and reference hospital for COVID-19, having undergone at least one RT-PCR test, regardless of the result, and with one CT compatible with COVID-19, were retrospectively studied. Clinical and laboratory data upon admission were assessed, and LLB found on CT was semi-quantitatively evaluated through visual analysis. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality after admission. Secondary outcomes, including the intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation used, and length of stay (LOS), were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 457 patients with a mean age of 57±15 years were included. Among these, 58% presented with positive RT-PCR result for COVID-19. The median time from symptom onset to RT-PCR was 8 days [interquartile range 6-11 days]. An initial LLB of ≥50% using CT was found in 201 patients (44%), which was associated with an increased crude at 30-day mortality (31% vs. 15% in patients with LLB of <50%, p<0.001). An LLB of ≥50% was also associated with an increase in the ICU admission, the need for mechanical ventilation, and a prolonged LOS after adjusting for baseline covariates and accounting for the CT findings as a time-varying covariate; hence, patients with an LLB of ≥50% remained at a higher risk at 30-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 2.17, 95% confidence interval 1.47-3.18, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Even after accounting for dynamic CT changes in patients with both clinical and imaging findings consistent with COVID-19, an LLB of ≥50% might be associated with a higher risk of mortality.

Imaging findings in COVID-19 pneumonia

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in Wuhan city and was declared a pandemic in March 2020. Although the virus is not restricted to the lung parenchyma, the use of chest imaging in COVID-19 can be especially useful for patients with moderate to severe symptoms or comorbidities. This article aimed to demonstrate the chest imaging findings of COVID-19 on different modalities: chest radiography, computed tomography, and ultrasonography. In addition, it intended to review recommendations on imaging assessment of COVID-19 and to discuss the use of a structured chest computed tomography report. Chest radiography, despite being a low-cost and easily available method, has low sensitivity for screening patients. It can be useful in monitoring hospitalized patients, especially for the evaluation of complications such as pneumothorax and pleural effusion. Chest computed tomography, despite being highly sensitive, has a low specificity, and hence cannot replace the reference diagnostic test (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). To facilitate the confection and reduce the variability of radiological reports, some standardizations with structured reports have been proposed. Among the available classifications, it is possible to divide the radiological findings into typical, indeterminate, atypical, and negative findings. The structured report can also contain an estimate of the extent of lung involvement (e.g., more or less than 50% of the lung parenchyma). Pulmonary ultrasonography can also be an auxiliary method, especially for monitoring hospitalized patients in intensive care units, where transfer to a tomography scanner is difficult.

Characteristics of training and motivation of physicians working in emergency medicine

Summary Introduction: Emergency medicine is an area in which correct decisions often need to be made fast, thus requiring a well-prepared medical team. There is little information regarding the profile of physicians working at emergency departments in Brazil. Objective: To describe general characteristics of training and motivation of physicians working in the emergency departments of medium and large hospitals in Salvador, Brazil. Method: A cross-sectional study with standardized interviews applied to physicians who work in emergency units in 25 medium and large hospitals in Salvador. At least 75% of the professionals at each hospital were interviewed. One hospital refused to participate in the study. Results: A total of 659 physicians were interviewed, with a median age of 34 years (interquartile interval: 29-44 years), 329 (49.9%) were female and 96 (14.6%) were medical residents working at off hours. The percentage of physicians who had been trained with Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support courses was 5.2, 18.4 and 11.0%, respectively, with a greater frequency of Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support training among younger individuals (23.6% versus 13.9%; p<0.001). Thirteen percent said they were completely satisfied with the activity, while 81.3% expressed a desire to stop working in emergency units in the next 15 years, mentioning stress levels as the main reason. Conclusion: The physicians interviewed had taken few emergency immersion courses. A low motivational level was registered in physicians who work in the emergency departments of medium and large hospitals in Salvador.

Agreement between three perioperative risk scores / Concordância entre três escores de risco perioperatório

SUMMARY Objective: To evaluate the agreement between the three scores proposed by the II Guideline for Perioperative Evaluation of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC): the American College of Physicians algorithm (ACP), the Multicenter Study of Perioperative Evaluation (EMAPO) and Lee’s Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI). Method: Patients evaluated preoperatively for non-cardiac surgery by the anesthesiology service were classified as low, moderate or high-risk according to the 3 algorithms suggested by the II Guideline. To calculate the strength of agreement between the scores, the kappa agreement index was used. Results: Four hundred and one patients were included in the sample. Cohen’s kappa inter-rater agreement between scores was 0.270 (CI: 0.222 to 0.318), corresponding to a weak agreement. Analyzing in pairs, the best correlation was between EMAPO and ACP, with kappa = 0.327. Lee’s score was the one that classified more patients as low-risk: 98.3%, while EMAPO and ACP classified as low risk 91.3% and 92.5%, respectively. Conclusion: There is poor correlation among the risk scores proposed by the II Perioperative Evaluation Guideline of the SBC.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a concordância entre os três escores propostos pela II Diretriz de Avaliação Perioperatória da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia (SBC): algoritmo do American College of Physicians (ACP), Estudo Multicêntrico de Avaliação Perioperatória (Emapo) e Índice de Risco Cardíaco Revisado de Lee (IRCR). Método: pacientes avaliados no pré-operatório para cirurgia não cardíaca em serviço de anestesiologia foram classificados em baixo, moderado ou alto risco pelas três escalas sugeridas pela II Diretriz. Para avaliar o grau de concordância entre as classificações, calculou-se o índice de concordância kappa. Resultados: quatrocentos e um pacientes foram incluídos. O índice kappa de Cohen de concordância entre os três escores foi de 0,270 (IC: 0,222-0,318), correspondendo a uma concordância fraca. Analisando aos pares, a melhor correlação foi entre Emapo e ACP, com kappa de 0,327. O escore de Lee foi o que classificou mais pacientes como baixo risco: 98,3%, ao passo que Emapo e ACP classificaram como baixo risco 91,3 e 92,5%, respectivamente. Conclusão: há uma baixa concordância entre os escores de risco propostos pela II Diretriz de Avaliação Perioperatória da SBC.

Escores de risco perioperatório para cirurgias não-cardíacas: descrições e comparações / Perioperative risk scores for non-cardiac surgery: descriptions and comparisons

Os eventos cardiovasculares são as principais causas de mortalidade perioperatória em cirurgias não cardíacas. Para estimar o risco cardiovascular em cada caso, foram criados diversos escores de risco perioperatório. O objetivo deste trabalho é revisar a literatura em busca de descrever os principais escores de risco perioperatório para cirurgias não-cardíacas e analisar as comparações de acurácia entre os mesmos. Após extensa revisão não-sistemática na base de dados PubMed (National Library of Medicine) , sem restrições de idioma, foram selecionados os principais escores e avaliações de risco cardiovascular perioperatório: ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists), índice de Goldman, índice de Detsky, índice de Larsen, EMAPO (Estudo Multicêntrico de Avaliação Perioperatória), ACP (American College of Physicians), ACC/AHA (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association) e o índice cardíaco revisado de Lee. De modos diversos, eles são escores em que pontos são somados à medida que fatores de risco acumulam-se e/ou são algoritmos em que critérios únicos podem direcionar a um determinado risco. Ainda que existam vários escores, apenas 5 trabalhos compararam diretamente escores diferentes, em estudos modestos. Nestes trabalhos, não há um escore que destaque-se em acurácia em relação aos demais. Apesar da existência de várias escalas de risco cardíaco perioperatório, pouco se pode inferir sobre qual teria maior acurácia e quais seus desempenhos em diferentes populações. Percebe-se nesta área um amplo campo do conhecimento ainda pouco investigado...

Cardiovascular events are the leading cause of perioperative mortality in noncardiac surgery. To estimate cardiovascular risk in each case was created various perioperative risk scores. The objective of this paper is to review the literature in search of describing the main perioperative risk scores for noncardiacsurgery and analyze the accuracy of comparisons between them. After extensive non-systematic review in PubMed (National Library of Medicine), without language restrictions, the topscores and perioperative cardiovascular risk assessment were selected: ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists), Goldman index, Detsky index, Larsen index, EMAPO (Multicenter Studyof Perioperative Evaluation), ACP (American College of Physicians), ACC/AHA (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association) and cardiac index revised Lee. In many ways, they are scores in which some points are added as risk factors accumulate and/or are algorithms where unique criteria may direct toward a certain risk. Although there are several scores, only 5 studies directly compared different scoresin studies modest. In these studies, there is no score that outstands in accuracy compared to the others. Despite the existence of various scales of perioperative cardiac risk, little can be inferred about what would have greater accuracy and what their performance in different populations. It can be seen in this area a wide of knowledge still poorly investigated...