ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is a lack of data on extravascular lung water index (EVLWi), pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPi), and global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVi) during prone position ventilation (PPV) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The objectives of this study were to analyze trends in EVLWi, PVPi, and GEDVi during PPV and the relationships between these parameters and PaO2/FiO2. METHODS: In this preliminary retrospective observational study, we performed transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) in seven mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients without cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities requiring PPV for 18 hours, at specific times (30 minutes pre-PPV, 18 hours after PPV, and 3 hours after supination). EVLWi, PVPi and GEDVi were measured. The relationships between PaO2/FiO2 and EVLWi, and PVPi and GEDVi values, in the supine position were analyzed by linear regression. Correlation and determination coefficients were calculated. RESULTS: EVLWi was significantly different between three time points (analysis of variance, P=0.004). After 18 hours in PPV, EVLWi was lower compared with values before PPV (12.7±0.9 ml/kg vs. 15.3±1.5 ml/kg, P=0.002). Linear regression showed that only EVLWi was correlated with PaO2/FiO2 (ß =-5.757; 95% confidence interval, -10.835 to -0.679; r=-0.58; R2 =0.34; F-test P=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: EVLWi was significantly reduced after 18 hours in PPV and values measured in supine positions were correlated with PaO2/FiO2. This relationship can help clinicians discriminate whether deterioration in gas exchange is related to fluid overload or disease progression. Further clinical research should evaluate the role of TPTD parameters as markers to stratify disease severity and guide clinical management.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemia, non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) has been largely applied. Few data are available about predictors of NIV failure in critical COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU. The aim of this study is to analyze clinical and laboratory features able to predict non-invasive ventilation success in avoiding endotracheal intubation. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed in our COVID-19 ICU during a 6-month period. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, and outcome data were extracted from electronic and paper medical records and anonymously collected. RESULTS: Eighty-two severe COVID-19 patients were supported by NIV at ICU admission. The median PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 125 [98.5-177.7]. NIV failed in 44 cases (53%). Patients who experienced NIV failure had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (median value 4) compared to those who were dismissed without endotracheal intubation (median 2, p < 0.0001). At Cox regression analysis, the Charlson Comorbidity Index represented a predictive factor related to NIV failure. PaO2/FiO2, CPK, INR, and AT III at ICU admission showed a significant relationship with the outcome, when single variables were adjusted for the Charlson Comorbidity Index. CONCLUSION: The Charlson Comorbidity Index may be helpful to stratify patients' risk of NIV failure in a severe COVID-19 population; even if this study, retrospective design does not allow definitive conclusions.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of the restrictions put in place to control the COVID-19 pandemic on new diagnoses of malignant mesothelioma (MM) in Italy. METHODS: Twelve of the 21 Italian malignant mesothelioma CORs (regional operating centres) participated. The study included all cases of MM with microscopic confirmation; cases without microscopic confirmation and death certificate only (DCO) were excluded. For each case, information on sex, date of birth, tumor site, morphology, and date of diagnosis was retrieved. We compared the number of incident cases in 2020 with 2019, looking at the overall picture and for four periods: pre-pandemic (January-February), first wave (March-May), low incidence (June-September), and second wave (October-December). RESULTS: A total of 604 cases were registered: 307 in 2019 and 297 in 2020. In the 2020 pre-pandemic period, the incidence was higher than in the same months in 2019 (+45%); there was no significant change during the first wave (+1%) or in the low-incidence period (-3%), while a decrease was observed during the second wave (-32%). However, the data were not homogeneous across the country: the increase in the pre-pandemic period concerned mostly the regions of northern (+61.5%) and central Italy (+43.5%); during the first wave, MM diagnoses increased in the northern (+38.5%) and central (+11.4%) regions but decreased in the southern regions (-52.9%). All these differences are compatible with random fluctuations. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic had little or no impact on new MM diagnoses, and variations were not homogeneous throughout the country.