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1.
Eur J Clin Pharmacol ; 79(7): 967-974, 2023 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2321755

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Remdesivir exerts positive effects on clinical improvement, even though it seems not to affect mortality among COVID-19 patients; moreover, it was associated with the occurence of marked bradycardia. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 989 consecutive patients with non-severe COVID-19 (SpO2 ≥ 94% on room air) admitted from October 2020 to July 2021 at five Italian hospitals. Propensity score matching allowed to obtain a comparable control group. Primary endpoints were bradycardia onset (heart rate < 50 bpm), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in need of intubation and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients (20.2%) received remdesivir, while 789 standard of care (79.8%). In the matched cohorts, severe ARDS in need of intubation was experienced by 70 patients (17.5%), significantly higher in the control group (68% vs. 31%; p < 0.0001). Conversely, bradycardia, experienced by 53 patients (12%), was significantly higher in the remdesivir subgroup (20% vs. 1.1%; p < 0.0001). During follow-up, all-cause mortality was 15% (N = 62), significantly higher in the control group (76% vs. 24%; log-rank p < 0.0001), as shown at the Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis. KM furthermore showed a significantly higher risk of severe ARDS in need of intubation among controls (log-rank p < 0.001), while an increased risk of bradycardia onset in the remdesivir group (log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed a protective role of remdesivir for both ARDS in need of intubation (OR 0.50, 95%CI 0.29-0.85; p = 0.01) and mortality (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.09-0.39; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Remdesivir treatment emerged as associated with reduced risk of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in need of intubation and mortality. Remdesivir-induced bradycardia was not associated with worse outcome.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Respiratory Distress Syndrome , Humans , COVID-19/complications , SARS-CoV-2 , Retrospective Studies , Propensity Score , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Hospitals , Italy/epidemiology , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/drug therapy , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/etiology , Antiviral Agents/adverse effects
2.
Eur Heart J Digit Health ; 2(1): 171-174, 2021 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2318773

ABSTRACT

Aims: Following coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, the Italian government adopted strict rules of lockdown and social distancing. The aim of our study was to assess the admission rate for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) replacement procedures in Campania, the 3rd-most-populous region of Italy, during COVID-19 lockdown. Methods and results: Data were sourced from 16 referral hospitals in Campania from 10 March to 4 May 2020 (lockdown period) and during the same period in 2019. We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients hospitalized for CIEDs replacement procedures during the two observational periods. The number and type of CIEDs replacement procedures among patients followed by remote monitoring (RM), the admission rate, and the type of hospital admission between the two observational periods were compared. In total, 270 consecutive patients were hospitalized for CIEDs replacement procedures over the two observation periods. Overall CIEDs replacement procedures showed a reduction rate of 41.2% during COVID-19 lockdown. Patients were equally distributed for sex (P = 0.581), and both age [median 76 years (IQR: 68-83) vs. 79 years (IQR: 68-83); P = 0.497]. Cardiac implantable electronic devices replacement procedures in patients followed by RM significantly increased (IR: +211%; P < 0.001), mainly driven by the remarkable increase rate trend of both PM (IR: +475%; P < 0.001) and implantable cardiac defibrillator replacement procedures (IR: +67%, P = 0.01), during COVID-19 lockdown compared with 2019 timeframe. Conclusions: We showed a significant increase trend rate of replacement procedures among CIEDs patients followed by RM, suggesting the hypothesis of its increased use to closely monitoring and to optimize the hospital admission time during COVID-19 lockdown.

3.
Int J Gen Med ; 15: 6621-6626, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1993631

ABSTRACT

We described the case of a 68-year-old COVID-19 patient with hypertension and dyslipidemia who discontinued the cardiovascular medications during hospitalization and experienced a late onset occurrence of concomitant ST-elevation myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke at resolution of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

4.
Pacing Clin Electrophysiol ; 45(6): 807-810, 2022 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1832218

ABSTRACT

In the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the management of cardiac implantable electronic devices infections with concomitant viral infection has not been completely defined yet. In this explorable context, we report the first experience of a Cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) implantation after transvenous lead extraction for endocarditis in a COVID-19 patient. We describe both the measures and procedures implemented to reduce the cross-infection in the operating room and our clinical practice to improving procedure effectiveness on patient care.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy , Defibrillators, Implantable , Endocarditis , Heart Diseases , Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices , Device Removal/methods , Humans , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2 , Treatment Outcome
5.
Eur J Clin Invest ; 52(8): e13781, 2022 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1764910

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Some abnormal electrocardiographic findings were independently associated with increased mortality in patients admitted for COVID-19; however, no studies have focussed on the prognosis impact of the interatrial block (IAB) in this clinical setting. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence and clinical implications of IAB, both partial and advanced, in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS: We retrospectively evaluated 300 consecutive COVID-19 patients (63.22 ± 15.16 years; 70% males) admitted to eight Italian Hospitals from February 2020 to April 2020 who underwent twelve lead electrocardiographic recording at admission. The study population has been dichotomized into two groups according to the evidence of IAB at admission, both partial and advanced. The differences in terms of ARDS in need of intubation, in-hospital mortality and thromboembolic events (a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke and transient ischaemic attack) have been evaluated. RESULTS: The presence of IAB was noticed in 64 patients (21%). In the adjusted logistic regression model, the partial interatrial block was found to be an independent predictor of ARDS in need of intubation (HR: 1.92; p: .04) and in-hospital mortality (HR: 2.65; p: .02); moreover, the advanced interatrial block was an independent predictor of thrombotic events (HR: 7.14; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Among COVID-19 patients hospitalized in medical wards, the presence of interatrial block is more frequent than in the general population and it might be useful as an early predictor for increased risk of incident thrombotic events, ARDS in need of intubation and in-hospital mortality.


Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation , COVID-19 , Respiratory Distress Syndrome , Atrial Fibrillation/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Electrocardiography , Female , Hospitals , Humans , Interatrial Block/epidemiology , Male , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies
6.
Medicina (Kaunas) ; 58(3)2022 Mar 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1732122

ABSTRACT

Background and objectives: Pre-existing atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent comorbidity in hospitalized patients with COVID-19; however, little is still known about its prognostic role in infected patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the pre-existing AF as comorbidity would contribute to increase the risk for severe forms of COVID-19, worse prognosis, or even higher mortality. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to the emergency department of nine Italian Hospitals from 1 March to 30 April 2020.The prevalence and the type of pre-existing AF have been collected. The correlation between the history and type of AF and the development of severe ARDS and in-hospital mortality has been evaluated. Results: In total, 467 patients (66.88 ± 14.55 years; 63% males) with COVID-19 were included in the present study. The history of AF was noticed in 122 cases (26.1%), of which 12 (2.6%) with paroxysmal, 57 (12.2%) with persistent and 53 (11.3%) with permanent AF. Among our study population, COVID-19 patients with AF history were older compared to those without AF history (71.25 ± 12.39 vs. 65.34 ± 14.95 years; p < 0.001); however, they did not show a statistically significant difference in cardiovascular comorbidities or treatments. Pre-existing AF resulted in being independently associated with an increased risk of developing severe ARDS during the hospitalization; in contrast, it did not increase the risk of in-hospital mortality. Among patients with AF history, no significant differences were detected in severe ARDS and in-hospital mortality between patients with permanent and non-permanent AF history. Conclusions: Pre-existing AF is a frequent among COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital, accounting up to 25% of cases. It is independently associated with an increased risk of severe ARDS in hospitalized COVID-19 patients; in contrast, it did not affect the risk of death. The type of pre-existing AF (permanent or non-permanent) did not impact the clinical outcome.


Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation , COVID-19 , Atrial Fibrillation/complications , Atrial Fibrillation/epidemiology , COVID-19/complications , Female , Humans , Male , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors
7.
European heart journal supplements : journal of the European Society of Cardiology ; 23(Suppl G), 2021.
Article in English | EuropePMC | ID: covidwho-1602070

ABSTRACT

A 68-years-old man, affected by arterial hypertension in treatment with angiotensin-receptor blocker (cardesartan 32 mg), was admitted to emergency department for fever and dyspnoea. The molecular swab for SARS-CoV-2 was positive. Chest CT showed bilateral interstitial pneumonia with Chung severity score index 15/20. The laboratory examinations showed: PCR 21 mg/dl, IL-6 17 pg/ml, d-dimer 374 ng/ml, lymphopenia, glycaemia 218 mg/dl, total cholesterol 245 mg/dl. At COVID-19 diagnosis he started the following therapy: Azithromycin 500 mg once a day, Methylprednisolone 20 mg twice a day, Remdesivir 200 mg once a day, Enoxaparin 6000 UI twice a day, Insulin Lispro 6/8/8 UI three times a day, High FlowNasal Cannula (FiO2 45%). No lipid-lowering therapy was prescribed. During the hospitalization, the patient experienced a progressive improvement in clinical and laboratory parameters. On the 28th day, there was a sudden worsening of dyspnoea with evidence of ST-elevation in DI, aVL, V2–V6 leads. A primary percutaneous coronary intervention at COVID-19 HUB hospital (2.9 km away) was required. Because of massive demand for emergency vehicles, the patient was admitted to the Chat Lab 3 h and 23 min later. Due to evidence of critical stenosis of the proximal and intermediate left anterior descending artery, a PTCA with stenting was performed. 12 h later, the patient developed left hemiplegia (NIHSS score: 7). The brain CT revealed an acute right frontal ischaemic lesion;no indication to fibrinolysis was given by the consultant neurologist. Our case report describes the rare concomitance of two thrombotic events in a COVID-19 patient with many cardiovascular risk factors, offering the opportunity to underline the need of their appropriate treatment during the hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, a dedicated treatment pathways should be provided for COVID-19 patients in order to ensure the timely and correct application of the protocols suggested by the international guidelines. 659 Figure 1 ECG performed at the onset of acute dyspnoea.659 Figure 2 Critical stenosis on LAD and subcritical stenosis on first and second obtuse marginal arteries.

8.
Viruses ; 13(12)2021 12 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1572662

ABSTRACT

Low molecular weight heparin, enoxaparin, has been one of most used drugs to fight the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Pharmacological properties of heparin recognize its specific ability, as with other oligosaccharides and glycosaminoglycan, to bind several types of viruses during their pass through the extracellular matrix of the respiratory tract, as well as its anticoagulant activity to prevent venous thromboembolism. Antithrombotic actions of enoxaparin have been testified both for inpatients with COVID-19 in regular ward and for inpatients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Prophylactic doses seem to be able to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in inpatients in the regular ward, while intermediate or therapeutic doses have been frequently adopted for inpatients with COVID-19 in ICU. On the other hand, although we reported several useful actions of heparin for inpatients with COVID-19, an increased rate of bleeding has been recorded, and it may be related to several conditions such as underlying diseases with increased risks of bleeding, increased doses or prolonged administration of heparin, personal trend to bleed, and so on.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Heparin , Venous Thromboembolism , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , COVID-19/complications , Enoxaparin , Fondaparinux , Hemorrhage , Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight , Humans , Inpatients , Intensive Care Units , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Venous Thromboembolism/etiology , Venous Thromboembolism/prevention & control
10.
J Cardiovasc Pharmacol ; 78(1): e94-e100, 2021 07 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1356725

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT: Statin therapy has been recently suggested as possible adjuvant treatment to improve the clinical outcome in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of preadmission statin therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and to investigate its potential association with acute distress respiratory syndrome (ARDS) at admission and in-hospital mortality. We retrospectively recruited 467 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the emergency department of 10 Italian hospitals. The study population was divided in 2 groups according to the ARDS diagnosis at admission and in-hospital mortality. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess the risk of ARDS at admission and death during hospitalization among patients with COVID-19. A competing risk analysis in patients taking or not statins before admission was also performed. ARDS at admission was reported in 122 cases (26.1%). There was no statistically significant difference for clinical characteristics between patients presenting with and without ARDS. One hundred seven patients (18.5%) died during the hospitalization; they showed increased age (69.6 ± 13.1 vs. 66.1 ± 14.9; P = 0.001), coronary artery disease (23.4% vs. 12.8%; P = 0.012), and chronic kidney disease (20.6% vs. 11.1%; P = 0.018) prevalence; moreover, they presented more frequently ARDS at admission (48.6% vs. 19.4%; P < 0.001). At multivariable regression model, statin therapy was not associated neither with ARDS at admission nor with in-hospital mortality. Preadmission statin therapy does not seem to show a protective effect in severe forms of COVID-19 complicated by ARDS at presentation and rapidly evolving toward death.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/therapy , Dyslipidemias/drug therapy , Hospitalization , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/mortality , Comorbidity , Disease Progression , Dyslipidemias/diagnosis , Dyslipidemias/mortality , Female , Hospital Mortality , Humans , Italy , Male , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Time Factors
12.
Pharmacol Res ; 159: 104965, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1279676

ABSTRACT

Little is still known about the clinical features associated with the occurrence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in hospitalized patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of pre-admission antithrombotic therapies in patients with COVID-19 and to investigate the potential association between antithrombotic therapy and ARDS, as disease clinical presentation, or in-hospital mortality. We enrolled 192 consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to emergency department of five Italian hospitals. The study population was divided in two groups according to the evidence of ARDS at chest computed tomography at admission. Propensity score weighting adjusted regression analysis was performed to assess the risk ARDS at admission, and death during hospitalization, in patients treated or not with antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents. ARDS was reported in 73 cases (38 %), who showed more likely hypertension compared to those without ARDS (57.8 % vs 49.6 %; P = 0.005). Thirty-five patients (18.5 %) died during the hospitalization. Not survived COVID-19 patients showed a statistically significant increased age (77 ± 8.31 vs 65.57 ± 8.31; P = 0.001), hypertension (77.1 % vs 53.5 %; P = 0.018) and coronary artery disease prevalence (28.6 % vs 10.2 %; P = 0.009). Both unadjusted and adjusted regression analyses showed no difference in the risk of ARDS at admission, or death during hospitalization, between patients treated or not with antiplatelets or anticoagulants. Pre-admission antithrombotic therapy, both antiplatelet and anticoagulant, does not seem to show a protective effect in severe forms of COVID-19 with ARDS at presentation and rapidly evolving toward death.


Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus , Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy , Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use , Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/complications , Coronavirus Infections/mortality , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Fibrinolytic Agents/administration & dosage , Hospital Mortality , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Pandemics , Patient Admission , Pneumonia, Viral/complications , Pneumonia, Viral/mortality , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/etiology , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/mortality , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19 Drug Treatment
13.
Cardiovasc Drugs Ther ; 36(4): 705-712, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1227866

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The clinical course of COVID-19 may be complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and thromboembolic events, which are associated with high risk of mortality. Although previous studies reported a lower rate of death in patients treated with heparin, the potential benefit of chronic oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between OAT with the risk of ARDS and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective Italian study including consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID-19 from March 1 to April 22, 2020, at six Italian hospitals. Patients were divided into two groups according to the chronic assumption of oral anticoagulants. RESULTS: Overall, 427 patients were included; 87 patients (19%) were in the OAT group. Of them, 54 patients (13%) were on treatment with non-vitamin k oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and 33 (8%) with vitamin-K antagonists (VKAs). OAT patients were older and had a higher rate of hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease compared to No-OAT group. The rate of ARDS at admission (26% vs 28%, P=0.834), or developed during the hospitalization (9% vs 10%, P=0.915), was similar between study groups; in-hospital mortality (22% vs 26%, P=0.395) was also comparable. After balancing for potential confounders by using the propensity score matching technique, no differences were found in term of clinical outcome between OAT and No-OAT patients CONCLUSION: Oral anticoagulation therapy, either NOACs or VKAs, did not influence the risk of ARDS or death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.


Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation , COVID-19 , Respiratory Distress Syndrome , Administration, Oral , Anticoagulants , Atrial Fibrillation/drug therapy , Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Vitamin K
14.
Thromb Res ; 198: 34-39, 2021 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1125220

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The incidence, characteristics, and prognosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been poorly investigated. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and the correlates with the occurrence of PE as well as the association between PE and the risk of mortality in COVID-19. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter study on consecutive COVID-19 patients hospitalized at 7 Italian Hospitals. At admission, all patients underwent medical history, laboratory and echocardiographic evaluation. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 224 patients (mean age 69 ± 14, male sex 62%); PE was diagnosed in 32 cases (14%). Patients with PE were hospitalized after a longer time since symptoms onset (7 IQR 3-11 days, 3 IQR 1-6 days; p = 0.001) and showed higher D-dimers level (1819 IQR 568-5017 ng/ml vs 555 IQR 13-1530 ng/ml; p < 0.001) and higher prevalence of myocardial injury (47% vs 28%, p = 0.033). At multivariable analysis, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE; HR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.66-0.98; p = 0.046) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP; HR = 1.12; 95% CI 1.03-1.23; p = 0.008) resulted the only parameters independently associated with PE occurrence. Mortality rates (50% vs 27%; p = 0.010) and cardiogenic shock (37% vs 14%; p = 0.001) were significantly higher in PE as compared with non-PE patients. At multivariate analysis PE was significant associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: PE is relatively common complication in COVID-19 and is associated with increased mortality risk. TAPSE and sPAP resulted the only parameters independently associated with PE occurrence in COVID-19 patients.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Pulmonary Embolism/epidemiology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/mortality , COVID-19/therapy , Female , Humans , Hypertension, Pulmonary/epidemiology , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Prognosis , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnosis , Pulmonary Embolism/mortality , Pulmonary Embolism/therapy , Registries , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Ventricular Dysfunction, Right/epidemiology
15.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 18(1)2020 12 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1006968

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a whole Earth health emergency related to a highly pathogenic human coronavirus responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). Despite the fact that the majority of infected patients were managed in outpatient settings, little is known about the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients not requiring hospitalization. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical comorbidity and the pharmacological therapies of COVID-19 patients managed in outpatient settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an observational, retrospective analysis of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients managed in outpatient settings in Naples, Italy between 9 March and 1 May 2020. Data were sourced from the prospectively maintained Health Search (HS)/Thales database, shared by 128 primary care physicians (PCPs) in Naples, Italy. The clinical features and pharmacological therapies of COVID-19 patients not requiring hospitalization and managed in outpatient settings have been described. RESULTS: A total of 351 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients (mean age 54 ± 17 years; 193 males) with outpatient management were evaluated. Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity (35%). The distribution of cardiovascular comorbidities showed no gender-related differences. A total of 201 patients (57.3%) were treated with at least one experimental drug for COVID-19. Azithromycin, alone (42.78%) or in combination (27.44%), was the most widely used experimental anti-COVID drug in outpatient settings. Low Molecular Weight Heparin and Cortisone were prescribed in 24.87% and 19.4% of the study population, respectively. At multivariate regression model, diabetes (risk ratio (RR): 3.74; 95% CI 1.05 to 13.34; p = 0.04) and hypertension (RR: 1.69; 95% CI 1.05 to 2.7; p = 0.03) were significantly associated with the experimental anti-COVID drug administration. Moreover, only diabetes (RR: 2.43; 95% CI 1.01 to 5.8; p = 0.03) was significantly associated with heparin administration. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show a high prevalence of hypertension, more likely treated with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RASS) inhibitors, among COVID-19 patients not requiring hospitalization. Experimental COVID-19 therapies have been prescribed to COVID-19 patients considered at risk for increased venous thromboembolism based on concomitant comorbidities, in particular diabetes and hypertension.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , COVID-19/complications , Cardiovascular Diseases/complications , Comorbidity , Adult , Aged , Diabetes Mellitus , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Hypertension/complications , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors
16.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ; 18(1):102, 2021.
Article in English | ScienceDirect | ID: covidwho-984768

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is a whole Earth health emergency related to a highly pathogenic human coronavirus responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). Despite the fact that the majority of infected patients were managed in outpatient settings, little is known about the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients not requiring hospitalization. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical comorbidity and the pharmacological therapies of COVID-19 patients managed in outpatient settings. Materials and Methods: We performed an observational, retrospective analysis of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients managed in outpatient settings in Naples, Italy between 9 March and 1 May 2020. Data were sourced from the prospectively maintained Health Search (HS)/Thales database, shared by 128 primary care physicians (PCPs) in Naples, Italy. The clinical features and pharmacological therapies of COVID-19 patients not requiring hospitalization and managed in outpatient settings have been described. Results: A total of 351 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients (mean age 54 ±17 years;193 males) with outpatient management were evaluated. Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity (35%). The distribution of cardiovascular comorbidities showed no gender-related differences. A total of 201 patients (57.3%) were treated with at least one experimental drug for COVID-19. Azithromycin, alone (42.78%) or in combination (27.44%), was the most widely used experimental anti-COVID drug in outpatient settings. Low Molecular Weight Heparin and Cortisone were prescribed in 24.87% and 19.4% of the study population, respectively. At multivariate regression model, diabetes (risk ratio (RR): 3.74;95% CI 1.05 to 13.34;p = 0.04) and hypertension (RR: 1.69;95% CI 1.05 to 2.7;p = 0.03) were significantly associated with the experimental anti-COVID drug administration. Moreover, only diabetes (RR: 2.43;95% CI 1.01 to 5.8;p = 0.03) was significantly associated with heparin administration. Conclusions: Our data show a high prevalence of hypertension, more likely treated with renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RASS) inhibitors, among COVID-19 patients not requiring hospitalization. Experimental COVID-19 therapies have been prescribed to COVID-19 patients considered at risk for increased venous thromboembolism based on concomitant comorbidities, in particular diabetes and hypertension.

17.
Front Pharmacol ; 11: 582348, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-902435

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: No data are provided about the effect of triple combination therapy with Lopinavir/Ritonavir (LPN/RTN), hydroxychloroquine (HQ) and azithromycin (AZT) on corrected QT (QTc) interval and arrhythmic risk, in COVID-19 patients. This study aims to describe the incidence of extreme QTc interval prolongation among COVID-19 patients on this experimental treatment and to identify the clinical features associated with extreme QTc prolongation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 87 COVID-19 patients, treated with triple combination including LPN/RTN, HQ and AZT, were analyzed. QT interval was obtained by the tangent method and corrected for heart rate using Bazett's formula. Extreme QTc interval prolongation was considered an absolute QTc interval ≥ 500 ms or an increase in QTc intervals of 60 ms or greater (ΔQTc ≥ 60 ms) compared with baseline. RESULTS: Hypertension (66.7%) and diabetes (25.3%) were the most prevalent cardiovascular comorbidities. Twenty patients (23%) showed extreme QTc interval prolongation; no clinical, electrocardiographic or pharmacological characteristics have been associated to extreme QTc prolongation, except the history of ischemic stroke (P= 0,007). One torsade de pointes (TdP) in patient with QTc extreme prolongation (QTc: 560 ms) after 5 days of therapy was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high incidence of extreme QTc interval prolongation among COVID-19 patients on triple combination therapy. Since the incidence of malignant arrhythmias seems to be not negligible, a careful electrocardiographic monitoring would be advisable.

18.
Eur J Clin Invest ; 50(12): e13387, 2020 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-721128

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Little is still known about the prognostic impact of incident arrhythmias in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and predictors of sustained tachyarrhythmias in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, and their potential association with disease severity and in-hospital mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter observation study including consecutive patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 admitted to emergency department of ten Italian Hospitals from 15 February to 15 March 2020. The prevalence and the type of incident sustained arrhythmias have been collected. The correlation between the most prevalent arrhythmias and both baseline characteristics and the development of ARDS and in-hospital mortality has been evaluated. RESULTS: 414 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (66.9 ± 15.0 years, 61.1% male) were included in the present study. During a median follow-up of 28 days (IQR: 12-45), the most frequent incident sustained arrhythmia was AF (N: 71; 17.1%), of which 50 (12.1%) were new-onset and 21 (5.1%) were recurrent, followed by VT (N: 14, 3.4%) and supraventricular arrhythmias (N: 5, 1.2%). Incident AF, both new-onset and recurrent, did not affect the risk of severe adverse events including ARDS and death during hospitalization; in contrast, incident VT significantly increased the risk of in-hospital mortality (RR: 2.55; P: .003). CONCLUSIONS: AF is the more frequent incident tachyarrhythmia; however, it not seems associated to ARDS development and death. On the other hand, incident VT is a not frequent but independent predictor of in-hospital mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients.


Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation/epidemiology , COVID-19/mortality , Hospital Mortality , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/epidemiology , Tachycardia, Supraventricular/epidemiology , Tachycardia, Ventricular/epidemiology , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/epidemiology , COVID-19/physiopathology , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Incidence , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Prognosis , Recurrence , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/physiopathology , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index
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