ABSTRACT
Purpose: To evaluate electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics at first presentation in patients with possible coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia. Methods and results: 356 patients presenting at the emergency room with possible COVID-19 pneumonia based on clinical presentation and computed tomography findings were included and subdivided into a COVID-19 positive group ([COVID-19-positive], n = 231, 65%) and a COVID-19 negative group ([COVID-19-negative], n = 125, 35%) based on polymerase chain reaction tests. The study population was predominantly middle aged-elderly (67 ± 14 year;n = 235, 66% male). Mortality rate was 24% after 1-month followup. There were no significant (NS) differences in sex, age, and mortality between the COVID-19-positive and COVID-19-negative group. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was common (9%), though its prevalence was NS (regression analyses adjusted for age and sex) different in the COVID-19-positive vs. the COVID-19-negative group. ECG characteristics reflecting atrial enlargement and repolarization abnormalities were frequently present (<38% and 14% respectively). No significant differences were found between the COVID-19-positive vs. the COVID-19-negative group for the majority of morphological ECG characteristics (Figure 1 for more detailed data). Conclusion: AF and ECG characteristics reflecting atrial enlargement and repolarization abnormalities are commonly present in COVID-19 patients. The prevalence of these ECG characteristics however do NS differ from their COVID-19-negative counterparts.
ABSTRACT
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic resulted in shortages of production and test capacity of FFP2-respirators. Such facemasks are required to be worn by healthcare professionals when performing aerosol-generating procedures on COVID-19 patients. In response to the high demand and short supply, we designed three models of facemasks that are suitable for local production. As these facemasks should meet the requirements of an FFP2-certified facemask, the newly-designed facemasks were tested on the filtration efficiency of the filter material, inward leakage, and breathing resistance with custom-made experimental setups. In these tests, the facemasks were benchmarked against a commercial FFP2 facemask. The filtration efficiency of the facemask’s filter material was also tested with coronavirus-loaded aerosols under physiologically relevant conditions. This multidisciplinary effort resulted in the design and production of facemasks that meet the FFP2 requirements, and which can be produced at local production facilities. © The Author(s).