Multisystemic Infarctions in COVID-19: Focus on the Spleen.

The literature suggests that COVID-19 provokes arterial and venous thrombotic events, although the mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we describe patients with confirmed coronavirus infection associated with multisystemic infarction, focusing on splenic infarction. More data are required to elucidate how COVID-19 and thrombotic disease interact and so that preventive and early diagnosis strategies can be developed. LEARNING POINTS: Thrombotic disease as a complication of COVID-19 must be suspected by clinicians, and recognized and monitored by radiologists.Thrombosis is often the initial manifestation of SARS-CoV-2, hence the importance of early diagnosis to avoid complications and reduce morbidity and mortality.

Resistant hypertensive teleorientation during the covid-19 pandemic: an innovative action in nursing

Objetivo: relatar sobre a utilização da teleorientação pela enfermagem como estratégia direcionada a hipertensos em isolamento social sob atendimento de um ambulatório especializado. Metodologia: trata-se de um relato de experiência acerca da teleorientação junto a 110 hipertensos, no período de 02 a 07 de abril de 2020 por enfermeiras e graduandos de enfermagem, sendo utilizado uma planilha e um "texto guia", visando uma escuta ativa, composto de perguntas sobre monitoramento da condição de saúde e autocuidado na pandemia da COVID-19. Resultados: dos 110 hipertensos, 53 (48,2%) foram contatados, enquanto 57(51,8%) não houve contato por motivos operacionais de telefonia. Dentre os contatados, observou-se predominância feminina (70%) e 63% (33) com idade ≥60 anos. Com relação aos relatos destaca-se sentimentos, intercorrências clínicas, dois prováveis casos de contaminação pelo vírus, aspectos de dificuldade em manter o distanciamento social devido necessidade socioeconômica e a importância no reforço de vacinação contra gripe para hipertensos. Considerações Finais: a teleorientação usada pela enfermagem fez-se como estratégia e uma ação inovadora direcionada a hipertensos em isolamento social durante a pandemia da COVID-19, e aponta para um valioso momento de contato, de aproximação, no qual se compartilha informações, sentimentos e expectativas. (AU) Objective: to report on the use of teleorientation by nursing as a strategy directed to hypertensive patients in social isolation under the care of a specialized outpatient clinic. Methodology: this is an experience report about teleorientation with 110 hypertensive patients, from April 02 to 07, 2020 by nurses and nursing students, using a spreadsheet and a "guide text", aiming at active listening , composed of questions about health condition monitoring and self-care in the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: of the 110 hypertensive patients, 53 (48.2%) were contacted, while 57 (51.8%) had no contact for operational reasons of telephony. Among those contacted, there was a predominance of women (70%) and 63% (33) aged ≥60 years. Regarding the reports, feelings, clinical complications, two probable cases of contamination by the virus, aspects of difficulty in maintaining social distance due to socioeconomic need and the importance of reinforcing flu vaccination for hypertensive patients stand out. Final Considerations: the teleorientation used by nursing became a strategy and an innovative action directed at hypertensive people in social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and points to a valuable moment of contact, of approach, in which information, feelings are shared and expectations. (AU) Objetivo: informar sobre el uso de la teleorientación por enfermería como una estrategia dirigida a pacientes hipertensos en aislamiento social bajo el cuidado de una clínica ambulatoria especializada. Metodología: este es un informe de experiencia sobre teleorientación con 110 pacientes hipertensos, del 2 al 7 de abril de 2020 por enfermeras y estudiantes de enfermería, utilizando una hoja de cálculo y un "texto guía", con el objetivo de escuchar activamente , compuesto de preguntas sobre el monitoreo del estado de salud y el autocuidado en la pandemia de COVID-19. Resultados: de los 110 pacientes hipertensos, 53 (48,2%) fueron contactados, mientras que 57 (51,8%) no tuvieron contacto por razones operativas de telefonía. Entre los contactados, hubo un predominio de mujeres (70%) y 63% (33) de edad ≥60 años. Con respecto a los informes, destacan los sentimientos, las complicaciones clínicas, dos casos probables de contaminación por el virus, los aspectos de dificultad para mantener la distancia social debido a la necesidad socioeconómica y la importancia de reforzar la vacunación contra la gripe para pacientes hipertensos. Consideraciones finales: la teleorientación utilizada por la enfermería se convirtió en una estrategia y una acción innovadora dirigida a personas hipertensas en aislamiento social durante la pandemia COVID-19, y señala un valioso momento de contacto, de enfoque, en el que se comparte información, sentimientos y expectativas. (AU)

Risk factors and outcome of COVID-19 in patients with hematological malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic factors of poor outcome in patients with hematological malignancies and COVID-19 are poorly defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a Spanish transplant group and cell therapy (GETH) multicenter retrospective observational study, which included a large cohort of blood cancer patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection through PCR assays from March 1st 2020 to May 15th 2020. RESULTS: We included 367 pediatric and adult patients with hematological malignancies, including recipients of autologous (ASCT) (n = 58) or allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) (n = 65) from 41 hospitals in Spain. Median age of patients was 64 years (range 1-93.8). Recipients of ASCT and allo-SCT showed lower mortality rates (17% and 18%, respectively) compared to non-SCT patients (31%) (p = 0.02). Prognostic factors identified for day 45 overall mortality (OM) by logistic regression multivariate analysis included age > 70 years [odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-3.8, p = 0.011]; uncontrolled hematological malignancy (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.6-5.2, p < 0.0001); ECOG 3-4 (OR, 2.56, 95% CI 1.4-4.7, p = 0.003); neutropenia (< 0.5 × 109/L) (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-6.1, p = 0.01); and a C-reactive protein (CRP) > 20 mg/dL (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.7-6.4, p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis of 216 patients with very severe COVID-19, treatment with azithromycin or low dose corticosteroids was associated with lower OM (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.2-0.89 and OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11-0.87, respectively, p = 0.02) whereas the use of hidroxycloroquine did not show significant improvement in OM (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.37-1.1, P = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: In most patients with hematological malignancies COVID-19 mortality was directly driven by older age, disease status, performance status, as well as by immune (neutropenia) parameters and level of inflammation (high CRP). Use of azithromycin and low dose corticosteroids may be of value in very severe COVID-19.

Sleep quality in times of Covid-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Due to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak, social distancing measures were imposed to control the spread of the pandemic. However, isolation may affect negatively the psychological well-being and impair sleep quality. Our aim was to evaluate the sleep quality of respiratory patients during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. METHODS: All patients who underwent a telemedicine appointment from March 30 to April 30 of 2020 were asked to participate in the survey. Sleep difficulties were measured using Jenkins Sleep Scale. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 365 patients (mean age 63.9 years, 55.6% male, 50.1% with sleep-disordered breathing [SDB]). During the lockdown, 78.9% of participants were confined at home without working. Most patients (69.6%) reported at least one sleep difficulty and frequent awakenings was the most prevalent problem. Reporting at least one sleep difficulty was associated with home confinement without working, female gender and diagnosed or suspected SDB, after adjustment for cohabitation status and use of anxiolytics. Home confinement without working was associated with difficulties falling asleep and waking up too early in the morning. Older age was a protective factor for difficulties falling asleep, waking up too early and non-restorative sleep. Notably, SDB patients with good compliance to positive airway pressure therapy were less likely to report sleep difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: Home confinement without working, female gender and SDB may predict a higher risk of reporting sleep difficulties. Medical support during major disasters should be strengthened and potentially delivered through telemedicine, as this comprehensive approach could reduce psychological distress and improve sleep quality.