Clinical and social determinants of health features of SARS-CoV-2 infection among Black and Caribbean Hispanic patients with heart failure: The SCAN-MP Study.

Patients with heart failure (HF) often have multiple chronic conditions and are at increased risk for severe disease and mortality when infected by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Furthermore, disparities in outcomes with COVID-19 have been associated with both racial/ethnic identity but also social determinants of health. Among older, urban-dwelling, minority patients with HF, we sought to characterize medical and non-medical factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with HF living in Boston and New York City over 60 years of age participating in the Screening for Cardiac Amyloidosis with Nuclear Imaging (SCAN-MP) study between 12/1/2019 and 10/15/2021 (n = 180) were tested for nucleocapsid antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and queried for symptomatic infection with PCR verification. Baseline testing included the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), assessment of health literacy, biochemical, functional capacity, echocardiography, and a novel survey tool that determined living conditions, perceived risk of infection, and attitudes towards COVID-19 mitigation. The association of infection with prevalent socio-economic conditions was assessed by the area deprivation index (ADI). There were 50 overall cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection (28%) including 40 demonstrating antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (indicative of prior infection) and 10 positive PCR tests. There was no overlap between these groups. The first documented case from New York City indicated infection prior to January 17, 2020. Among active smokers, none tested positive for prior SARS-CoV-2 infection (0 (0%) vs. 20 (15%), p = 0.004) vs. non-smokers. Cases were more likely to be taking ACE-inhibitors/ARBs compared to non-cases (78% vs 62%, p = 0.04). Over a mean follow-up of 9.6 months, there were 6 total deaths (3.3%) all unrelated to COVID-19. Death and hospitalizations (n = 84) were not associated with incident (PCR tested) or prior (antibody) SARS-CoV-2 infection. There was no difference in age, co-morbidities, living conditions, attitudes toward mitigation, health literacy, or ADI between those with and without infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection was common among older, minority patients with HF living in New York City and Boston, with evidence of infection documented in early January 2020. Health literacy and ADI were not associated with infection, and there was no increased mortality or hospitalizations among those infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Hospital Readmissions: Patient Characteristics and Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Readmissions in an Urban Safety-Net Hospital System.

BACKGROUND: It is not yet known whether socioeconomic factors (ie, social determinants of health) are associated with readmission following hospitalization for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 6191 adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in a large New York City safety-net hospital system between March 1 and June 1, 2020. Associations between 30-day readmission and selected demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, prior health care utilization, and relevant features of the index hospitalization were analyzed using a multivariable generalized estimating equation model. RESULTS: The readmission rate was 7.3%, with a median of 7 days between discharge and readmission. The following were risk factors for readmission: age 65 and older [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-1.55], history of homelessness, (aOR: 2.03 95% CI: 1.49-2.77), baseline coronary artery disease (aOR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.34-2.10), congestive heart failure (aOR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.20-1.49), cancer (aOR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.26-2.24), chronic kidney disease (aOR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.46-2.07). Patients' sex, race/ethnicity, insurance, and presence of obesity were not associated with increased odds of readmission. A longer length of stay (aOR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97-1.00) and use of noninvasive supplemental oxygen (aOR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.56-0.83) was associated with lower odds of readmission. Upon readmission, 18.4% of patients required intensive care, and 13.7% expired. CONCLUSION: We have found some factors associated with increased odds of readmission among patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Awareness of these risk factors, including patients' social determinants of health, may ultimately help to reduce readmission rates.

Effect of parenteral nutrition in oxygen escalation/de-escalation in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients who are pre-intubation: A multicenter, observational study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: SARS-CoV-2 infection includes a variety of gastrointestinal manifestations along with the usual viral symptoms of malaise and myalgias. The objective of this study was to determine if intravenous parenteral nutrition (PN) affected the risk of intubation in SARS-CoV-2 patients who were dependent on non-invasive ventilation. METHODS: Retrospective, multicenter case-control study which analyzed oxygen requirements for 1974 adults with SARS-CoV-2, who were admitted to the local public hospital system between March 1 and May 17, 2020. Relevant baseline biomarkers were studied over 5 days. The main outcome was an escalation or de-escalation of oxygen requirements relative to the exposure of PN. RESULTS: 111 patients received PN while on non-invasive ventilation. Patients who received PN had a significantly lower odds (p < 0.001) of oxygen escalation in comparison to their control group counterparts (OR = 0.804, 95% CI 0.720, 0.899) when matched for age, body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, and gender. CONCLUSION: Initiating PN in the setting of non-invasive ventilation of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients was significantly associated with a lower odds of oxygen escalation. PN does not independently exacerbate oxygen requirements in SARS-CoV-2 infected pre-intubated patients.

Thrombus in Transit on Point-of-Care Ultrasound in COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Cause of Refractory Hypoxia Requiring Systemic Thrombolysis.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is predominantly a pulmonary disease due to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with underlying systemic involvement associated with coagulopathy. The reported number of events of venous thromboembolism and refractory hypoxia remains high despite being maintained on prophylactic or therapeutic doses of anticoagulation in patients with a high clinical indication, which has shown a reduction in mortality otherwise. This report is of a case of severe COVID-19 pneumonia in a 37-year-old Hispanic man who developed coagulopathy with left popliteal vein thrombosis and subsequently a right ventricle thrombus in transit diagnosed by point-of-care ultrasound requiring systemic thrombolysis. Although patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia are routinely given therapeutic anticoagulants, this case has shown that monitoring acute thrombotic events, D-dimer levels, and the presence of refractory hypoxia may indicate a thrombotic event that requires further intervention. This report has demonstrated the value of point-of-care ultrasound in the diagnosis of thromboembolism and venous thrombosis in a patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

A curious case of Lyme carditis in an urban hospital.

Lyme carditis (LC), a manifestation of early disseminated Lyme disease, most commonly presents with cardiac conduction abnormalities. It is a transient condition with good prognosis but in extremely rare cases may be life-threatening. We describe a 42-year-old man who presented with progressively worsening generalized weakness, presyncope and dyspnea on exertion for 2 weeks after sustaining a tick bite. He subsequently developed a 'bull's eye rash' on his flank 2 days before his presentation. He was found to have symptomatic third-degree AV conduction blockade with a ventricular escape rhythm resulting in a brief cardiac arrest. Intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone was commenced empirically and a temporary transvenous pacemaker was placed. In a few days he showed dramatic, rapid improvement; the pacemaker was removed, and the patient was discharged on oral doxycycline to complete a 24-day course. This case is unique due to its occurrence in an urban hospital where such cases are uncommon. Cardiac arrest, although brief in this case, is a rare occurrence. Lyme carditis was a surprise diagnosis in our hospital due to the patient's geographical dislocation during the COVID-19 pandemic.