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Background: The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been reported as pandemy and the number of patients continues to rise. Based on recent data, cardiac injury is a prominent feature of the disease, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. In the present study we aimed to evaluate myocardial dysfunction using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods and Results: We recruited 30 patients (56.7% male, 55.80 +/- 14.949 years) who were hospitalized with the diagnosis COVID-19 infection. We analyzed left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) conventional and TDI parameters at the time of hospitalization and during the course of the disease. Patients without any cardiac disease and with preserved LV ejection fraction (EF) were included. TTE examination was performed and all the variables were recorded and analyzed retrospectively. We observed that both LV and RV conventional echocardiographic parameters were similar when the day of admission to the hospital was compared to the 5th day of the disease. Regarding TDI analysis, we demonstrated significant impairment in LV septal and lateral deformation (P < 0.001). In the correlation analysis no marked correlation was observed between impairment in LV deformation and inflammation biomarkers. Conclusion(s): Cardiac involvement is an important feature of the COVID-19 infection but the exact mechanism is still undefined. Echocardiography is an essential technique to describe myocardial injury and provide new concepts for the possible definitions of cardiac dysfunction.Copyright © 2023 The Author(s).
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Submission content Introduction: An unusual case of a very young patient without previously known cardiac disease presenting with severe left ventricular failure, detected by a point of care echocardiogram. Main Body: A 34 year old previously well man was brought to hospital after seeing his general practitioner with one month of progressive shortness of breath on exertion. This began around the time the patient received his second covid-19 vaccination. He was sleeping in a chair as he was unable to lie flat. Abnormal observations led the GP to call an ambulance. In the emergency department, the patient required oxygen 5L/min to maintain SpO2 >94%, but he was not in respiratory distress at rest. Blood pressure was 92/53mmHg, mean 67mmHg. Point of care testing for COVID-19 was negative. He was alert, with warm peripheries. Lactate was 1.0mmol/L and he was producing more than 0.5ml/kg/hr of urine. There was no ankle swelling. ECG showed sinus tachycardia. He underwent CT pulmonary angiography which demonstrated no pulmonary embolus, but there was bilateral pulmonary edema. Troponin was 17ng/l, BNP was 2700pg/ml. Furosemide 40mg was given intravenously by the general medical team. Critical care outreach asked for an urgent intensivist review given the highly unusual diagnosis of pulmonary edema in a man of this age. An immediate FUSIC Heart scan identified a dilated left ventricle with end diastolic diameter 7cm and severe global systolic impairment. The right ventricle was not severely impaired, with TAPSE 18mm. There was no significant pericardial effusion. Multiple B lines and trace pulmonary effusions were identified at the lung bases. The patient was urgently discussed with the regional cardiac unit in case of further deterioration, basic images were shared via a cloud system. A potential diagnosis of vaccination-associated myocarditis was considered,1 but in view of the low troponin, the presentation was felt most likely to represent decompensated chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. The patient disclosed a family history of early cardiac death in males. Aggressive diuresis was commenced. The patient was admitted to a monitored bed given the potential risk of arrhythmia or further haemodynamic deterioration. Advice was given that in the event of worsening hypotension, fluids should not be administered but the cardiac centre should be contacted immediately. Formal echocardiography confirmed the POCUS findings, with ejection fraction <35%. He was initiated on ACE inhibitors and beta adrenergic blockade. His symptoms improved and he was able to return home and to work, and is currently undergoing further investigations to establish the etiology of his condition. Conclusion(s): Early echocardiography provided early evidence of a cardiac cause for the patient's presentation and highlighted the severity of the underlying pathology. This directed early aggressive diuresis and safety-netting by virtue of discussion with a tertiary cardiac centre whilst it was established whether this was an acute or decompensated chronic pathology. Ultrasound findings: PLAX, PSAX and A4Ch views demonstrating a severely dilated (7cm end diastolic diameter) left ventricle with global severe systolic impairment.
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Introduction: Variants in PPP1R13L are associated with severe childhood-onset cardiomyopathy resulting in rapid progression to death or cardiac transplantation. PPP1R13L is proposed to encode a protein that limits the transcriptional activity of the NFkappaB pathway leading to elevated IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha production in murine models. Optimal medical management for PPP1R13L-related cardiomyopathy is unknown. Here we report usage of a targeted anti-IL-1 immuno-modulatory therapy resulting in cardiac stabilization in a pediatric patient with congenital cardiomyopathy secondary to PPP1R13L variants. Case Report: A 4-year-old boy presented acutely with fever in the setting of persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, fatigue, and decreased appetite for two months following a mild COVID-19 related illness. Echocardiogram revealed severely depressed biventricular systolic function with an ejection fraction of 30%. Due to acute decompensated heart failure symptoms with hemodynamic instability, he was intubated and placed on continuous inotropic infusions with aggressive diuresis. Cardiac MRI demonstrated extensive subepicardial to near transmural fibrosis by late gadolinium enhancement in right and left ventricles. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was placed due to frequent runs of polymorphic non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Testing for viral pathogens was positive for rhino/enterovirus. Initial genetic testing was non-diagnostic (82-gene cardiomyopathy panel) but given the patient's significant presentation whole genome sequencing was pursued that showed two separate PPP1R13L variants in trans (c.2167A>C,p.T723P and c.2179_2183del,p. G727Hfs*25, NM_006663.4). Patient serum cytokine testing revealed elevations in IL-10 (4.7 pg/mL) and IL-1beta (20.9 pg/mL). Given the patient's tenuous circumstances and concern for continued progression of his cardiac disease, a trial of IL-1 inhibition via anakinra dosed at 3 mg/kg or 45 mg daily was initiated following hospital discharge. With approximately 6 months of therapy, the patient's cardiac function is stable with normalization of IL-10 and IL-1beta serum levels. Notably, the ventricular arrhythmia decreased after initiation of anakinra with no ICD shocks given. Therapy overall has been well tolerated without infectious concerns. Conclusion(s): In patients with PPP1R13L-related cardiomyopathy, immuno-modulatory therapies should be considered in an attempt to slow cardiac disease progression.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc.
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Aim. To determine the prevalence and show the features of the development of newly diagnosed heart failure (HF) in patients with dyspnea after a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Material and methods. This clinical prospective observational study was conducted during 2020-2022. The study consecutively included 368 outpatients with shortness of breath, who applied to the clinic. Depending on the presence of prior COVID-19, the patients were divided into 2 groups: the first group consisted of 205 patients with shortness of breath after COVID-19, the second group - 163 patients without prior COVID-19. All patients underwent a clinical examination within 3 days after presentation with an assessment of outpatient records and other medical documents for the differential diagnosis of dyspnea. The severity of dyspnea was determined using the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale (mMRC). The diagnosis of HF was verified in accordance with the 2020 Russian Society of Cardiology guidelines and in some cases reclassified in accordance with the 2021European Society of Cardiology guidelines. For further analysis, 2 subgroups of patients with HF were identified depending on the presence and absence of prior COVID-19. The subgroup analysis excluded patients with acute heart failure, acute illness, and conditions requiring hospitalization and/or intensive care. Results. Among 368 patients who presented to the clinic with dyspnea during 2020-2022, 205 patients (55,7%) had COVID-19. The average period of treatment after COVID-19 was 3,5 [1,5;22,4] months. Patients after COVID-19 applied earlier after the onset of dyspnea, which is associated with higher mMRC score. The prevalence of HF among patients with shortness of breath after COVID-19 was significantly higher than in patients without this pathology in history, and amounted to 19,0% vs 9,8% (p=0,021). Prior COVID-19 increased the relative risk (RR) of HF in patients with shortness of breath by 1,7 times. RR for HF in systolic blood pressure >140 mm Hg increased by 1,9 times, while in diastolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg - by 1,9 times, with the development of a hypertensive crisis - by 28%, with a heart rate >80 bpm at rest - by 1,4 times, with the development of type 2 diabetes - by 31%, in the presence of pulmonary fibrosis - by 2,3 times. Patients with shortness of breath after COVID-19 had more severe HF, both according to clinical tests and according to the blood concentration of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), mainly with the preserved ejection fraction (EF) with a higher prevalence of left atrial (LA) enlargement in combination with a decrease in right ventricular (RV) systolic function and its dilatation. In patients after COVID-19 in the presence of chronic kidney disease, the RR for HF increased by 4,5 times;in the presence of C-reactive protein >4 mg/l - by 1,6 times. Conclusion. Every fifth patient with shortness of breath 3,5 months after COVID-19 had more severe HF, both according to clinical tests and according to blood NT-proBNP concentration, mainly with preserved EF with a higher prevalence of LA increase in combination with a decrease in RV systolic function and its dilatation. The risk of HF is interrelated with the female sex and multiple comorbidities.Copyright © 2023, Silicea-Poligraf. All rights reserved.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the digital divide and the limited tech-nopedagogical proficiency of teachers. To improve the teaching of fractions, thirty elementary school teachers were trained in the use of the Fraction Strips virtual manipulative. Phenomenology was used to assess their learning experiences and the dynamics of technological appropriation were recorded. The results showed a significant appropriation of the manipulative, the importance of multiple representations in the conceptual understanding of fractions and the promotion of meaningful and discovery learning. In conclusion, the training improved the teach-ers' digital competencies and pedagogical practices. © GKA Ediciones, authors. Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-SinObraDerivada.
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The rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased municipal waste in the form of used face masks (FMs), which pose a global threat to the environment. To mitigate this, the study explores the applicability of shredded FMs as alternative reinforcing material in sands. Laboratory-grade Ottawa sand and naturally collected sea sand are adopted as the base sands for testing. The primary physical properties of the base materials and the FMs are first examined, and the soil particles are imaged via scanning electron microscopy. Thirty consolidated undrained (CU) triaxial compression tests were conducted to evaluate the effects of the weight fraction of FM, FM length, and the initial effective mean stress on the undrained shear strength parameters of the sands. The experimental results proved that FM inclusion can lead to a substantial improvement in the undrained shear strength of the sands;however, such improvement was sensitive to the initial effective mean stress, with higher undrained shear strength gains associated with lower initial effective mean stress. For a given FM content, the critical state ratio and angle of friction at the critical state increased with the FM length. Finally, the results revealed that FM-reinforced sands exhibit dilative and strain-hardening behaviors.
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Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the United States. Concomitant Covid-19 infection and the outcomes of AF are unknown. Objective(s): The study's goals were to analyze the outcomes of AF during the Covid-19 pandemic. Method(s): We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on the 2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) of Adults (>18 years) hospitalized for AF as the primary admitting diagnosis based on the ICD-10 codes and stratified these groups into concomitant covid-19 infection vs. non-covid-19 infection. All-cause mortality was our primary outcome, while the rate of ICU admission, length of stay, hospital charges were our secondary outcomes. Temporal trends were assessed using logistic regression. Result(s): In 2020, there were 1,994,985 admissions for atrial fibrillation, out of whom 104,495 (5.3%) had concomitant Covid-19. In the 104,495 AF admissions with covid-19, the mean age was 75y and 56.8% were males. Our results, image 1, showed AF with and without concomitant Covid-19 had similar rates of comorbid conditions including HTN, DM, OSA, CAD. HFrEF, and ESRD. AF patients with Covid-19 infection had a lower prevalence of smoking (31.83% vs. 39.4%, p<.001) and alcohol use (2% vs. 4.2%, p<.001). AF patients from both groups had similar rates of stroke (1.6% vs. 1.0%, p<.001). New AF patients with concomitant Covid-19 had worsening in-hospital outcomes such as shock (12.8% vs. 3.7%, p<.001), admission to the ICU (18.1% vs. 6.4%, p<0.001), higher all-cause mortality (21.8% vs. 3.9%, p<0.001), a longer length of stay (9.96 days vs 6.08 days, p<.001), and total hospital costs ($114,387 vs. $85,830, p<.0001). The incidence of AF catheter ablation on initial hospital admission for AF Covid-19 was lower compared to the AF non-covid-19 patients (.08% vs. 1.39%, p<.001). Conclusion(s): In 2020, Covid-19 infection was an independent predictor of higher all-cause mortality, length of stay, and costs in patients admitted for atrial fibrillation. In addition, these patients were less likely to get catheter ablation on hospital admission. [Formula presented]Copyright © 2023
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Objective To explore the clinical effect and safety of Suhexiang Pills () in the treatment of patients with tachycardia after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Methods A total of 138 patients with tachycardia after SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to eight hospitals such as 971st Hospital of the PLA Navy, Changzhou Second People's Hospital, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Chest Hospital from February 2023 to March 2023 were randomly divided into control group and treatment group, with 87 patients in the treatment group and 51 in the control group. Patients in the control group were po administered with betaloc, once a day, and the initial dose was 23.75 mg, adjusted in time according to the patient's heart rate. Patients in the treatment group were po administered with Suhexiang Pills, 1 pill/time, twice daily. Patients in two groups were treated for 7 d. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was observed, and the heart rate and cardiac function indexes, RR interval, blood oxygen saturation and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results After treatment, the total effective rate of the treatment group was 98.85%, and the total effective rate of the control group was 90.20%, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, heart rates were significantly decreased in both groups (P < 0.05), and the heart rates of the treatment group were significantly better than those of the control group (P < 0.05) on the 7th day of treatment. After treatment, the level of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in both groups was significantly higher than that before treatment (P < 0.05), and there was statistical difference between the treatment group and the control group (P < 0.05). The levels of left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) in the treatment group significantly decreased than that before treatment (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference compared with the control group (P > 0.05). After treatment, the maximum RR interval in both groups reached the normal range on the third day, and the treatment group was significantly better than the control group (P < 0.05). Blood oxygen saturation of the treatment group was significantly increased on the 7th day of treatment compared with before treatment (P < 0.05), but there was no statistical significance between the two groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the total incidence of adverse events between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Suhexiang Pills decrease heart rates in patients with tachycardia after SARS-CoV-2 infection, which was equivalent to the effect of western medicine, and can protect heart, improve heart function to a certain extent.Copyright © 2023 Editorial Office of Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs. All rights reserved.
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Background: At our hospital, people with COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) had a high rate of pulmonary barotrauma. Therefore, the current study looked at barotrauma in COVID-19 patients getting invasive and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation to assess its prevalence, clinical results, and features. Methodology: Our retrospective cohort study comprised of adult COVID-19 pneumonia patients who visited our tertiary care hospital between April 2020 and September 2021 and developed barotrauma. Result(s): Sixty-eight patients were included in this study. Subcutaneous emphysema was the most frequent type of barotrauma, reported at 67.6%;pneumomediastinum, reported at 61.8%;pneumothorax, reported at 47.1%. The most frequent device associated with barotrauma was CPAP (51.5%). Among the 68 patients, 27.9% were discharged without supplemental oxygen, while 4.4% were discharged on oxygen. 76.5% of the patients expired because of COVID pneumonia and its complications. In addition, 38.2% of the patients required invasive mechanical breathing, and 77.9% of the patients were admitted to the ICU. Conclusion(s): Barotrauma in COVID-19 can pose a serious risk factor leading to mortality. Also, using CPAP was linked to a higher risk of barotrauma.Copyright © 2021 Muslim OT et al.
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Objectives: To present a series of immunosuppressed patients (oncohematological disease, congenital immunosuppression, hematopoietic stem cell (HSCT), and solid organ transplant) assisted on ECMO. Method(s): Descriptive, retrospective study (2011-2020) of a cohort of 9 immunosuppressed patients, supported on ECMO. Medical records were reviewed and demographic, clinical, and analytical variables were collected. Result(s): In our series of 9 patients, 5 were male, the median age was 8 years [RIC 3-11 years]. Considering the underlying disease, 6 were oncologic, 1 liver transplant and 2 with congenital immunodeficiency after HSCT. 4 were under active chemotherapy (median 6 days after the last cycle [RIC 5-188]). 6 were admitted due to acute respiratory failure, 3 due to hemodynamic instability (3/9), (one septic shock). The median PEEP was 12 [RIC 9-15] and FiO2 100% (81-100%). 78% (6) required vasoactive drugs (median inotropic score 35 [RIC 0-75]. 40%. 5 had severe neutropenia and/or plateletopenia in the 24 hours prior to ECMO, and alterations in acid-base balance (median pH 7. 1 [RIC 6.9-7.15]. 5 were on multiorgan failure. TPrimary ECMO transport was performed in 4 patients (44%). Cannulation was peripheral in 80% (57% cervical, 43% femoral) and central in 20%;70% VA-ECMO. Median time of assistance was 15 days [RIC 3.5-31.5] in cardiac ECMO (4), and 29 days [RIC 13.5-42] and in pulmonary ECMO (n=5). The median total time of admission was 45 days [RIC 27-59]. 9 had an infection, 2 COVID after HSCT, and 8 bleeding complications, but only one required surgical revision. Renal replacement therapy was used in 5 (median 9 days [RIC 5-34.5]). Other therapies used were polymyxin hemadsorption(2), intratracheal surfactant(2), plasma exchange(1), infusion of mesenchymal cells(1) and specific memory T lymphocytes(2). 4 patients died, 5 survived decannulation, 2 died later, with an overall survival rate to hospital discharge of 33% (3/9). Conclusion(s): Despite having a worse prognosis, ECMO can increase survival in immunosuppressed patients, in situations that are challenging and require a multidisciplinary approach.
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Aim of the study. To study the experience of using focused transthoracic echocardiography in patients with COVID-19 in prone position (fEchoPr) in intensive care units (ICU). Materials and methods. The retrospective observational study included 53 patients (period from 15 April to 31 December 2020). Inclusion criteria: confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, availability of fEchoPr data, outcome certainty (discharge/death). We analyzed electronic medical records. The fEchoPr was performed in patients in the prone position with a bolster under the left side of the chest and left arm raised ('swimmer's position'). We assessed the systolic function of the right ventricle (RV) (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)), RV size, RV/LV ratio, systolic function of the left ventricle (LV) (left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral. (LVOT VTI)), and pulmonary hypertension (PH) (tricuspid regurgitation peak gradient (PGTR). Depending on the results, the patients were divided into 2 groups: informative (+fEchoPr) and non-informative (-fEchoPr) examinations. Results. There was no statistically significant difference in the groups (+fEcho n = 35 vs -fEcho n = 18) by age (65.6 +/- 15.3 vs 60.2 +/- 15.8, p > 0.05), by gender (male: 23 (65.7%) vs 14 (77.8%), p > 0.05), by body mass index (31.3 +/- 5.3 kg/m2 vs 29.5 +/- 5.4 kg/m2, p > 0.05), by mechanical ventilation support (24 (68.6%) vs 17 (94.4%), p = 0.074), by NEWS scale indicators (6.9 +/- 3.7 vs 8.5 +/- 3.5 points), by mortality (82.8% vs 94.4%, p > 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a moderate inverse relationship between being on mechanical ventilation and the informative value of the study (Spearman's r = -0.30 at p = 0.033). In the +fEchoPr group, the correct measurement of TAPSE and RV/LV was carried out in 100%: a decrease in RV systolic function was recorded in 5 patients (14%), expansion of the RV in 13 patients (37%). Signs of PH were detected in 11 patients (31%), PGTR could not be measured in 10 patients (28%). LV systolic dysfunction was detected in 7 patients (20%). No pathology was detected in 16 patients (46%). One patient was diagnosed with infective endocarditis of native mitral valve, which was later confirmed by autopsy. Conclusion. In 66% of cases, fEchoPr examinations were informative, especially in terms of assessing the state of the right heart. fEchoPr examination is an affordable, valid and reproducible method to assess and monitor the state of the heart in ICU patients.Copyright © 2021 VIDAR Publishing House. All Rights Reserved.
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Introduction and objectives: To analyze the evolution of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and diabetes in the mid-term follow-up during the COVID-19 pandemic and to describe its impact on this population. Method(s): Multicenter and prospective registry that included patients with AF and diabetes attended in cardiology clinics. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the variables associated with the occurrence of clinical events and mortality. Recruitment was performed in February-December 2019. Result(s): The evolution of 633 patients, 96,2% of those included in the REFADI registry with a median follow-up of 835 days was analyzed (mean age 73.8 +/- 8.5 years, 54.3% male, CHA2DS2-VASc 4,34 +/- 1,4, HAS-BLED 2,47 +/- 0,96) were analyzed. The proportion of anticoagulated patients remained constant (95.6% vs 94.5%;P = .24). There was a decrease in the prescription of vitamin K antagonists (from 31.4% to 19.7%;P < .01), and an increase in the use of direct anticoagulants (from 62.0% to 70.3%;P < .01). During the follow-up there was an increase in the prescription of SGLT2 inhibitors (from 20.0% to 25.5%;P < .01) and GLP1 agonists (from 4.2% to 9.1%;P < .01). During this period, 17.2% of patients died, the majority from cardiovascular causes, 6.4% from COVID-19, 2.8% from stroke, and 1.8% from hemorrhage. Older age, lower ejection fraction, lower hemoglobin levels, and especially lower direct anticoagulants prescription were associated with mortality. Conclusion(s): Patients with AF and diabetes have a high thromboembolic risk and a high risk of developing complications, especially of cardiovascular origin.Copyright © 2023 Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia
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B Medium-term cardiac outcomes in young people with multi-system inflammatory syndrome: the era of COVID-19 b I Wong J, Theocharis P, Regan W et al i I Pediatr Cardiol (2022) 43:1728-1736 i Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). B European Pediatric [sic] Surgeons' Association survey on the use of splenic embolization in blunt splenic trauma in children b I Dariel A i I , i I Soyer T i I , i I Dingemann J et al i I Eur J Pediatr Surg (2022) 32:497-503 i The management of severe splenic injury in children has evolved, and currently the preferred management of even severe injury is nonoperative, with close observation. One of the complications of this and other open-heart procedures requiring cardiopulmonary bypass is acute kidney injury (AKI). [Extracted from the article] Copyright of Pediatric Radiology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
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Cardiac imaging is an ever-evolving area, with imaging parameters and application in constant re-evaluation. This was reflected in many imaging debates and by the increased number of scientific contributions at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in 2022. While clinical trials tried to answer clinical questions related to the performance of different imaging modalities, many high-quality presentations focused on new imaging biomarkers in different scenarios, such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, valvular heart disease or long COVID. This highlights the need for the translation of cardiac imaging technology from research interests towards established measures of clinical practice.
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Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is an immune-mediated complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Cardiovascular system is commonly involved. Acute heart failure (AHF) is the most severe complication of MIS-C, leading to cardiogenic shock. The aim of the study was to characterise the course of MIS-C with a focus on cardiovascular involvement, based on echocardiographic (echo) evaluation, in 498 children (median age 8.3 years, 63% boys) hospitalised in 50 cities in Poland. Among them, 456 (91.5%) had cardiovascular system involvement: 190 (48.2%) of patients had (most commonly atrioventricular) valvular insufficiency, 155 (41.0%) had contractility abnormalities and 132 (35.6%) had decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF < 55%). Most of these abnormalities improved within a few days. Analysis of the results obtained from two echo descriptions (a median of 5 days apart) revealed a >10% increase in LVEF even in children with primarily normal LVEF. Lower levels of lymphocytes, platelets and sodium and higher levels of inflammatory markers on admission were significantly more common among older children with contractility dysfunction, while younger children developed coronary artery abnormality (CAA) more often. The incidence of ventricular dysfunction might be underestimated. The majority of children with AHF improved significantly within a few days. CAAs were relatively rare. Children with impaired contractility as well as other cardiac abnormalities differed significantly from children without such conditions. Due to the exploratory nature of this study, these findings should be confirmed in further studies.
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Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is a rare condition that develops after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We present two young adult male patients, aged 25 and 24 years, who admitted to our outpatient clinic with high fever, redness in the eyes, diarrhea, and maculopapular rash four weeks after after clinically mild COVID-19 infection. Echocardiography showed global hypokinesia in both cases. Therefore, the history of COVID-19 should be questioned, and the patient should be evaluated for possible MIS-A, especially when new heart failure is detected during the pandemic.
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Background/Aims Adult-onset Still's disease is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology. Post-COVID-19 vaccine adult-onset Still's disease has been reported and was associated with only mild myocarditis. Here we report the first case of adult-onset Still's disease after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination presenting with severe myocarditis with acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Methods We described the case history of the patient. Results A 72-year-old Chinese woman developed gradual onset of fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, generalised arthralgia, malaise and poor appetite 15 days after receiving the first dose of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Physical examination revealed fever, bilateral ankle oedema and elevated jugular venous pressure. Significant investigation results are shown in Table 1. Extensive viral panel tests (including enterovirus, influenza and cytomegalovirus) were all negative. Echocardiography showed severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 20%. The acute heart failure was complicated by cardiogenic shock requiring intensive care unit admission. Myocarditis was later diagnosed. Although the heart condition subsequently improved, there were persistent fever and arthralgia, as well as the development of generalised maculopapular skin rash. In view of that, series of investigations were performed, which revealed persistent neutrophilic leucocytosis, hyper-ferritinaemia and liver function derangement, while autoimmune panel was grossly unremarkable and septic/viral workup was negative (Table 1). Contrast PET-CT scan showed no features of malignancy. Adult-onset Still's disease was diagnosed, and the patient was treated with oral prednisolone 40mg daily. The patient's condition responded to the treatment;the fever subsided and the leucocyte count and inflammatory markers were normalised, and she was subsequently discharged. Three months after discharge, the patient was clinically well with prednisolone tapered down to 5mg daily. Reassessment echocardiogram showed full recovery with LVEF 60%. Conclusion Severe myocarditis with acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock is a possible initial presentation of adult-onset Still's disease after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. After exclusion of more common aetiologies, it is important to consider adult-onset Still's disease as one of the differential diagnoses in the presence of compatible features following COVID-19 vaccination, such that appropriate and timely workup and treatment can be offered. (Table Presented).
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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic posed numerous challenges to patient care, including extensive PPE use, patient care in isolation rooms, inadequate numbers of intensivists particularly in rural communities, use of unfamiliar ventilators that would be partially remedied by the ability to remotely control lung ventilation. The goals of the project were to study the intended use, risk management, usability, cybersecurity for remote control of ventilators and demonstrate the use of a single interface for several different ventilators. Method(s): Clinical scenarios were developed including remote control of the ventilator from an antechamber of an isolation room, nursing station within the same ICU, and remote control from across the country. A risk analysis and was performed and a risk management plan established using the AAMI Consensus Report--Emergency Use Guidance for Remote Control of Medical Devices. A cybersecurity plan is in progress. Testing was done at the MDPNP laboratory. We worked with Nihon Kohden OrangeMed NKV-550, Santa Ana, CA, and Thornhill Medical MOVES SLC, Toronto, Canada. Both companies modified their devices to allow remote control by and application operating on DocBox's Apiary platform. Apiary is a commercially available ICE solution, DocBox Inc, Waltham, MA. An expert panel was created to provide guidance on the design of a single common, simple to use graphical user interface (GUI) for both ventilators. Manufacturers' ventilation modes were mapped to ISO 19223 vocabulary, data was logged using ISO/IEEE 11073-10101 terminology using AAMI 2700-2-1, Medical Devices and Medical Systems - Essential safety and performance requirements for equipment comprising the patient-centric integrated clinical environment (ICE): Part 2-1: Requirements for forensic data logging. Result(s): We demonstrated that both ventilators can be controlled and monitored using common user interface within an institution and across the country. Pressure and flow waveforms were available for the NKV-550 ventilator, and usual ventilator measurements were displayed in near-real time. The interface allowed changing FiO2, ventilation mode, respiratory rate, tidal volume, inspiratory pressure, and alarm settings. At times, increased network latency negatively affected the transmission of waveforms. Conclusion(s): We were able to demonstrate remote control of 2 ventilators with a common user interface. Further work needs to be done on cybersecurity, effects of network perturbations, safety of ventilator remote control, usability implications of having a common UI for different devices needs to be investigated.
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Patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia present with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure, typically meet the clinical criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and often require invasive mechanical ventilation. While peculiar pathophysiological aspects deserve discussion to better tailor the mechanical ventilation settings in these patients, most recommendations on the ventilatory management of these patients are derived from studies in patients with ARDS from causes other than COVID-19. Protective ventilation is recommended in most COVID-19 patients, tidal volume should be kept around 6 mL per kg of predicted body weight, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) should be titrated individually considering that in many patients with COVID-19 improvement of oxygenation at higher PEEP is often accompanied by worsening of respiratory system compliance. Therefore, attention should be paid in limiting plateau and driving pressures to avoid excessive strain potentially resulting in ventilator-induced lung injury. Prone positioning has been used extensively in COVID-19 patients, but its impact on mortality is uncertain. Inhaled nitric oxide, extracorporeal CO2 removal (ECCO2R), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) should be considered in selected patients as rescue measures. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.