Comparison of COVID-19 Induced Respiratory Failure and Typical ARDS: Similarities and Differences.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a predominantly respiratory infectious disease caused by novel coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2), respiratory failure is the main clinical manifestation and the leading cause of death. Even though it can meet the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) Berlin definition, only some clinical features of COVID-19 are consistent with typical ARDS, and which has its own peculiar phenotypes. When compared with typical ARDS, in addition to the typical diffuse alveolar injury, COVID-19 has unique pathological and pathophysiological features, such as endothelial injury, extensive microthrombus, and pulmonary capillary hyperplasia. The clinical features of patients with respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 are heterogeneous and can be generally divided into two phenotypes: progressive respiratory distress and unique "silent hypoxemia". The "H-type" characteristics of reduced lung volume, decreased lung compliance, and unmatched ventilator-perfusion ratio. While some patients may have close to normal lung compliance, that is "L-type". Identifying the exact phenotype in whom are suffered with COVID-19 is crucial to guide clinicians to adopt appropriate treatment strategies. This review discussed the similarities and differences in the pathogenesis, pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment strategies of COVID-19 induced acute respiratory failure and typical ARDS.

Anxiety and Depression Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Patients With Cardiovascular Diseases in Post-COVID-19 China.

Objective: Data are limited on the psychological disorders of patients with cardiovascular disease during the post-COVID-19 period, although mental health status is associated with morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression and risk factors among patients with cardiovascular disease in the post-pandemic period. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted through opportunistic and snowball sampling in southeast China from 10 October to 24 November. Anxiety and depression were assessed on the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Results: A total of 435 patients with hypertension (48.05%), atrial fibrillation (17.24%), coronary artery disease (14.48%), heart failure (9.89%) and other heart diseases (10.34%) completed the survey. Interestingly, most patients reported monthly income comparable to (90.11%) or even greater than (8.51%) pre-pandemic income. The occurrence of anxiety and depression was 11.72 and 9.20%, respectively. Marital status and treatment interruption during the pandemic were independent risk factors for both anxiety and depression. Moreover, current monthly income and access to telemedicine during the pandemic were independent risk factors for anxiety. Conclusion: Patients with cardiovascular disease may experience anxiety and depression not only because of disease complications but also because of the effects of the pandemic. In facing the global challenge posed by the coronavirus, efforts should be made to improve patients' psychological well-being in the management of populations with cardiovascular disease.

[Clinical characteristics of liver damage in 30 patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 in Sichuan area].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of liver damage in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Sichuan area and the effect of antiviral drugs on liver function. METHODS: The clinical data of severe COVID-19 patients admitted to Chengdu Public Health Clinical Medical Center from January 21 to February 24, 2020 were retrospectively collected, including demographic data, clinical manifestations and liver function changes within 1 week after admission to intensive care unit (ICU). The changes of liver function during the course of disease in severe COVID-19 patients were analyzed and summarized, and group analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 30 COVID-19 patients with complete clinical data were enrolled. The incidence of severe COVID-19 in elderly men was higher (60.0%), with median age of 61 (47, 79) years old, and those aged 80 or above accounted for 23.3%. The severe COVID-19 patients mainly presented with respiratory symptoms such as fever (96.7%), cough (80.0%) and dyspnea (66.7%). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil) and prothrombin time (PT) of 30 patients were increased to various degrees within 1 week after ICU admission, and albumin (ALB) was decreased. (1) The patients were divided into two groups according to whether to take lopinavir/ritonavir (kaletra). It was shown that the incidence of liver dysfunction in patients taking kaletra was significantly higher than those who did not take kaletra (7-day abnormal rate of ALT was 54% vs. 33%, the abnormal rate of AST was 38% vs. 33%, the abnormal rate of TBil was 8% vs. 0%), but there were no statistical differences (all P > 0.05). (2) The patients were divided into normal dose group (500 mg, twice a day, n = 19) and reduced dose group (250 mg, twice a day, n = 5) according to the dosage of kaletra. It was shown that patients taking low-dose kaletra had a smaller effect on liver function within 1 week after ICU admission than those receiving normal dosage, and ALB, TBil in the reduced dose group were significantly lower than those in the normal dose group on the 2nd day after ICU admission [ALB (g/L): 33.3±2.0 vs. 37.5±4.0, TBil (µmol/L): 6.3±3.3 vs. 11.3±4.8, both P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Severe COVID-19 patients in Sichuan area suffered obvious liver damage in the early course of the disease and have a slower recovery. It is important to pay attention to avoid using drugs that can aggravate liver damage while treating the disease. If there is no alternative drug, liver protection treatment should be considered appropriately.