Observaciones a partir del registro de evaluación cardiológica pos-COVID-19

Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia y características de los hallazgos cardiológicos "de Novo" (HCDN) en pacientes pos-COVID a partir de una secuencia diagnóstica cardiológica básica; asimismo, describir los resultados obtenidos en estos pacientes con los distintos métodos diagnósticos, detectar variables clínicas asociadas a la aparición de HCDN durante la evaluación y, por último, detectar el valor diagnóstico de distintos datos de la historia clínica (HC). Materiales y métodos: Se evaluó a pacientes >18 años que padecieron la COVID-19, internados o en su domicilio, mediante interrogatorio, examen físico, electrocardiograma (ECG), ecocardiograma (ECO), rutina de laboratorio y biomarcadores cardíacos entre los 30 y 120 días después del alta. Se incluyeron 246 pacientes (edad: 52 ± 13 años; mujeres: 48 %; COVID-19 leve [37 %], moderado [39 %], grave [24 %]). El 24 % de la población no presentaba síntomas en el momento de la evaluación; en los sintomáticos, la disnea fue lo más frecuente (28 %). El interrogatorio fue el método que reveló mayor porcentaje de sospecha (45 %). El examen físico, el ECG, el ECO y los biomarcadores fueron normales en el 60 %, 55 %, 75 % y 96 % de los pacientes, respectivamente. Resultados: Se detectaron HCDN en 62 pacientes (25,2 %): trastornos del ritmo en 42 (17 %) y disfunción ventricular en 20 (8 %). Cinco presentaron enfermedad coronaria; 6, miocarditis, y 2, valvulopatías. Además, se detectó tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP) pos-COVID en 10 pacientes, de los cuales seis (2,4 %) debieron internarse nuevamente. Asimismo, en un análisis multivariado, las variables predictoras independientes de los HCDN fueron antecedentes de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC), intervalo QTc > 440 ms, leucocitosis y complicación cardiológica intra-COVID (CCIC). La HC mostró baja sensibilidad y valor predictivo positivo para los HCDN. Conclusiones: Aunque los HCDN se observaron en un cuarto de la población, solo fueron relevantes en el 2 %. De acuerdo con estos datos, mediante esta secuencia diagnóstica y en este lapso, el énfasis debería estar puesto en los pacientes con antecedentes de EPOC y/o complicaciones cardiológicas durante la etapa aguda y/o intervalo QTc prolongado. Los síntomas pos-COVID tuvieron un valor limitado para el diagnóstico de arritmias o disfunción ventricular.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of "de novo" cardiovascular findings (DNCFs) among post-COVID-19 patients based on a basic cardiovascular diagnostic procedure. Moreover, to describe the patients' results obtained by means of different diagnostic methods, to determine the clinical variables associated with DNCFs during the examination and, finally, to find out the diagnostic value of different data from medical records (MRs). Materials and methods: Patients aged > 18 years who had COVID-19 either at the hospital or at home were evaluated by clinical interviews, physical examination, electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiogram, routine lab tests and cardiac biomarkers between 30 and 120 days after discharge. A total of 246 patients (age: 52 ± 13 years; women: 48 %; mild, moderate and severe COVID-19: 37 %, 39 % and 24 %, respectively) were included in the study. Twenty-four percent of the population were asymptomatic at the time of the evaluation. In those patients who developed symptoms, dyspnea was the most frequent one (28 %). Interviews were the method with the highest index of suspicion (45 %). Physical examination, EKG, echocardiogram and biomarkers showed normal values among 61 %, 60 %, 75 % and 96 % of the patients, respectively. Results: DNCFs were found in 62 patients (25.2 %): heart rhythm disorders in 42 (17 %) and ventricular dysfunction in 20 (8 %). Five patients had coronary artery disease, six had myocarditis and two had valvular heart disease. In addition, post-COVID-19 pulmonary embolism (PE) was detected in 10 patients, six of whom (2.4 %) had to be rehospitalized. Furthermore, in a multivariate analysis, the independent predictive variables of DNCFs were prior history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), QTc > 440 msec, leukocytosis and intra-COVID-19 cardiovascular complication. MRs showed both low sensitivity and positive predictive value for DNCFs. Conclusions: Although DNCFs were observed in 25 % of the population, only 2 % were significant. According to the data collected from this diagnostic procedure and in this time frame, special attention should be paid to patients with prior history of COPD and/or cardiovascular complications during the acute stage and/or prolonged QTc interval. Post-COVID-19 symptoms were of limited value for the diagnosis of arrhythmias or ventricular dysfunction.

Valor pronóstico de los niveles plasmáticos de IL13 en pacientes con artritis reumatoidea y enfermedad pulmonar intersticial: estudio de cohorte prospectiva / Prognostic value of IL13 plasmatic levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and interstitial lung disease: a prospective cohort study

Introducción: el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la relación entre los valores de IL13 y su pronóstico en pacientes con artritis reumatoidea (AR) y enfermedad pulmonar intersticial (EPI). Materiales y métodos: estudio de cohorte prospectiva. Se midió IL13 en suero y se dividió la cohorte en dos grupos con la mediana de IL13 como punto de corte. Se estudió el tiempo hasta una caída de la capacidad vital forzada (CVF) mayor o igual al 5% con el método de Kaplan Meier (KM) y regresión de Cox. Resultados: se incluyeron 47 pacientes. La media (DE) de tiempo de seguimiento fue de 12,7 (12,5) meses. El estimador de KM a 15 meses fue de 0,48 (IC 95% 0,13-0,76) en el grupo con valores elevados de IL13 y de 0,86 (IC 95% 0,54-0,93) en el otro grupo (p=0,037). En el análisis de Cox multivariado los valores elevados de IL13 se asociaron con una caída de la CVF mayor o igual al 5% en el seguimiento (HR 17.64 (IC 95% 1,89-164,1) p=0,012). Conclusiones: los valores elevados de IL13 se asociaron con peor evolución funcional en esta cohorte prospectiva de pacientes con AR y EPI.

Introduction: the aim of our study was to analyze the relationship between the concentrations of IL13 in serum and the prognosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Materials and methods: we conducted a prospective cohort study. We measured IL13 levels in serum. Patients were divided in two groups using the median of IL13 value as cut off point. Time to a decline of 5% or more in FVC% from basal measurement was estimated using Kaplan Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox models were applied. Results: we included 47 patients. The mean (SD) time of follow-up was 12.7 (12.5) months. The Kaplan Meier estimator at 15 months was 0.48 (CI 95% 0.13-0.76) in the group with higher values of IL13, and 0.86 (CI95% 0.54-0.93) in the other group (p=0.037). In the Cox multivariate analysis, the values of IL13 were significantly associated with a decline of 5% or more in FVC% in the follow-up (HR 17.64 (CI 95% 1.89-164.1) p=0.012). Conclusions: our results indicate that patients with higher values of IL13 in serum presented higher decline in FVC% during their follow-up.

Development of simple and sensitive score to assess the risk of pneumonia in Covid-19 patients

ABSTRACT Background: Severe pneumonia is the most common cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death due to novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) respiratory disease (COVID-19). Due to its rapid outbreak, units for the evaluation of febrile patients in the pre-hospital setting were created. Objective: The objective of the study was to develop a sensitive and simple tool to assess the risk of pneumonia in COVID-19 patients and thus select which patients would require a chest imaging study. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a cohort of individuals with suspected COVID-19 evaluated in a public academic healthcare center in Buenos Aires city. All adult patients with positive RT-PCR assay for SARS-COV2 between April 24 and May 19 of 2020 were included in the study. Pneumonia was defined as the presence of compatible signs and symptoms with imaging confirmation. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed. A risk indicator score was developed. Results: One hundred and forty-eight patients were included, 71 (48%) received the diagnosis of pneumonia. The final clinical model included four variables: age ≥ 40 years, cough, absence of sore throat, and respiratory rate ≥ 22. To create the score, we assigned values to the variables according to their ORs: 2 points for respiratory rate ≥ 22 and 1 point to the other variables. The AUC of the ROC curve was 0.80 (CI 95% 0.73-0.86). A cutoff value of 2 showed a sensitivity of 95.7% and a specificity of 43.24%. Conclusion: This sensible score may improve the risk stratification of COVID-19 patients in the pre-hospital setting. (REV INVEST CLIN. 2021;73(1):52-8)

Lung involvement prevalence in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis without known pulmonary disease: a multicentric cross sectional study

Abstract Background: Clinically evident interstitial lung disease (ILD) affects between 10 and 42% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Airway involvement seems to be even more common. Most of the available evidence comes from studies performed in established RA patients. The aim of our study was to know the prevalence of non-diagnosed lung disease (airway and interstitial involvement) in patients with early RA and look for associated factors. Methods: We designed an observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study, and included patients with RA of less than two years since diagnosis. We performed a structured questionnaire, HRCT and lung functional tests looking for lung disease, together with joint disease evaluation. We analyzed which variables were associated with the presence of lung disease on HRCT. Results: We included 83 patients, 83% females. The median (IQR) of time since RA diagnosis was 3 (1-6) months. In the HRCT, 57 patients had airway compromisea (72%), and 6 had interstitial abnormalities (7.5%). The most common altertion found in lung functional tests was a reduced DLCO (14%). The presence of at least one abnormality in the physical exam was associated with lung involvement on HRCT [13 (21.6%) vs 0 (0%); p = 0.026]. Also, patients with lung involvement presented significantly lower values of FVC% and DLCO%, and higher values of RV/TLC. No variable related to joint involvement was found associated with alterations in HRCT. Conclusion: Our study shows that a large proportion of early RA patients has abnormal findings in HRCT. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.

Rehabilitación respiratoria en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa. Experiencia de un hospital especializado de Argentina / Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease. Experience in a Specialized Hospital in Argentina

Introducción: Las enfermedades pulmonares intersticiales difusas generan en los pacientes intolerancia al ejercicio, disnea, y una disminución de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. La rehabilitación respiratoria tiene un rol importante en el cuidado estos pacientes. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en una cohorte de pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa (EPID) sometida a rehabilitación respiratoria (RR) durante los años 2012 a 2015. Los pacientes realizaron 4 meses de RR, basado en entrenamiento aeróbico y fortalecimiento muscular de extremidades y tronco y educación en salud. Se estudió la calidad de vida con el cuestionario Saint George´s (SGRQ) y tolerancia al ejercicio (TE) con test de marcha de 6 minutos (TM6M) previo y posterior a RR. Se compararon los resultados entre pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar idiopática (FPI) y otras EPID. Resultados: Se incluyeron 93 pacientes (46 hombres), de los cuales 42 (44.09%) completaron el programa. Luego de la RR la media de puntaje del SGRQ disminuyo 8.7 puntos (IC 95%: 2.85-14.42), sin diferencia entre FPI y otros diagnósticos. La media de metros caminados en el TM6M mejoró 14.07 m sin alcanzar la significancia estadísticamente (p = 0.132). En el subgrupo de pacientes que caminó inicialmente menos de 400 m (n = 18), la mejoría fue clínica y estadísticamente significativa (40.8 m; p = 0.025). No encontramos diferencias en esta prueba en función del diagnóstico. Conclusiones: La RR en esta cohorte de pacientes con EPID demostró mejorar la calidad de vida y la tolerancia al ejercicio, sin diferencias en cuanto al diagnóstico específico.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease. Experience in a Specialized Hospital in Argentina / Rehabilitación respiratoria en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa. Experiencia de un hospital especializado de Argentina

Introduction: Interstitial lung diseases generate in patients exercise intolerance, dyspnea, and a decrease in health-related quality of life. Pulmonary Rehabilitation plays an important role in the treatment of these patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in a cohort of patients with interstitial lung disease (DILD) who underwent Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) between 2012 and 2015. Patients completed a 4-month treatment program including aerobic, core, and upper and lower limbs strength training and health education. Quality of life was measured with the St. George´s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and exercise tolerance with the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) pre- and post-PR. Results were compared among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other ILDs. Results: 93 patients were included (46 male); 42 (44.09%) completed the program. After the PR, the SGRQ mean score decreased by 8.7 (95% CI [confidence interval]: 2.85-14.42), with no differences between the IPF and other diagnoses. The results of the 6MWT showed mean improvement of 14.07 m, not reaching statistical significance (p = 0.132). The subgroup of patients who walked less than 400 m (n = 18) showed clinical and statistically significant improvement (40.8 m; p = 0.025). We didn't find differences in this test in terms of diagnosis. Conclusions: PR in this cohort of patients with ILD showed improvement in quality of life and exercise tolerance, with no differences regarding the specific diagnosis.

Evaluación infectológica inicial y seguimiento prospectivo de una cohorte de pacientes sometidos a inmunosupresión inducida / Initial assessment and prospective follow-up of a cohort of patients with immunosuppressive therapy by an infectious diseases physician

El uso de inmunosupresores generó una población creciente de pacientes con defectos en el sistema inmune. Creamos un consultorio especializado en la atención infectológica de dichos pacientes. Objetivos: Describir los antecedentes clínicos y la prevalencia de infecciones latentes, evaluar el estado de vacunación, determinar la necesidad de profilaxis antimicrobiana. Describir la frecuencia de aparición infecciones oportunistas (IO). Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo, prospectivo de pacientes atendidos en un consultorio que estuvieran bajo tratamiento inmunosupresor (noviembre 2015-enero 2017). Se recolectaron datos demográficos, clínicos y factores de riesgo para IO. Se realizó pesquisa de tuberculosis (TB), serologías para HIV, hepatitis A, B y C, sífilis, toxoplasmosis, Chagas, búsqueda de Strongyloides spp. Se indicaron vacunas de acuerdo con las recomendaciones actuales. Se realizó seguimiento para detección de IO. Resultados: n=197, media de edad 50,7 años (DE 14), mujeres 79,7%. Enfermedades de base: artritis reumatoidea 52%, lupus 12%. Drogas inmunosupresoras: metotrexato 45%, corticoides 16%, biológicos anti-TNF 15%, micofenolato 10%, ciclofosfamida 4%. Se diagnosticaron 49 (25%) infecciones: 15 Chagas, 15 anti-HBc positivo aislado, 7 sífilis, 4 HIV, 4 TB latentes, 2 HBV, 1 HCV, 1 estrongiloidiosis. Se indicó profilaxis antimicrobiana en 27 (14%) pacientes. En todos se intervino indicando o completando los esquemas de vacunación. Se detectaron 7 IO. Conclusiones: En el 39% de los pacientes, la evaluación sistematizada arrojó hallazgos que motivaron intervenciones, ya sea terapéuticas o de monitoreo. En el 100% fue necesaria la prescripción de vacunas. Esto pone en evidencia la importancia de evaluar sistemáticamente en consultorios especializados a estos pacientes

Introduction: The extensive use of immunosuppressive drugs resulted in a growing population of patients with defects in the immune system. We opened an infectious diseases practice focused on the attention of these patients. Our objectives were to describe the clinical history and prevalence of latent infections, evaluate the vaccination status, determine the need for antimicrobial prophylaxis and describe the frequency of opportunistic infections (OI). Methods: We performed a descriptive and prospective study of patients seen at a medical practice who were under immunosuppressive therapy (November 2015-January 2017). Demographic and clinical history, as well as risk factors for OI were collected. Tuberculosis (TB) screening, serologies for HIV, hepatitis A, B and C, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, Chagas and Strongyloides spp. screening were performed. Vaccines were indicated according to current recommendations. Follow-up was performed for IO detection. Results: n=197. Mean age: 50.7 years (SD 14). Female 79.7%. Underlying diseases: rheumatoid arthritis 52%, 12% lupus. Immunosuppressive drugs: methotrexate 45%, corticoids 16%, biological anti-TNF agents 15%, mycophenolate 10%, cyclophosphamide 4%. Forty-nine (25%) infections were diagnosed: 15 Chagas, 15 anti-HBc positive isolated, 7 syphilis, 4 HIV, 4 latent TB, 2 HBV, 1 HCV, 1 strongyloidiosis. Antimicrobial prophylaxis was indicated in 27 (14%) patients. In all cases, vaccination schemes were indicated or completed. Seven IO were detected. Conclusions: In 39% of the patients, the systematized evaluation revealed findings that motivated interventions, either therapeutic or monitoring. In 100% the prescription of vaccines was necessary. These findings highlight the importance of a systematically evaluation of these patients in specialized care centers.

Encefalopatía hiperamoniémica y hepatocarcinoma fibrolamelar / Hyperammonemic encephalopathy and fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma

Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 22 años con hepatocarcinoma fibrolamelar agresivo, metastásico, de rápida evolución y con una rara forma de comienzo, como una encefalopatía hiperamoniémica. El hepatocarcinoma fibrolamelar es un tumor hepático raro, que se presenta en pacientes jóvenes, sin antecedentes de hepatopatía viral o cirrótica. Su etiología es desconocida, y tradicionalmente fue considerado como de mejor pronóstico que el carcinoma hepatocelular clásico.

We present the case of a young woman, 22 years old, with an aggressive form of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. She began with the signs and symptoms of a hyperammonemic encephalopathy, an uncommon form of presentation. Fibrolamellar carcinoma is a rare liver tumor, which affects young patients without previous liver disease. Its etiology is unknown, and it has been considered as a tumor with a better prognosis than the classic hepatocellular carcinoma.