ABSTRACT
Objectives: Immunization against SARS-CoV-2 is an effective strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. People with Immune-mediated Rheumatic Diseases (IMRD) also benefited from this campaign. However, there is a limited amount of data on the outcome of vaccination in these patients, in terms of those who were infected by the virus. This study had the objective to evaluate the rate of COVID-19 cases in patients with IMRD after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Method(s): Observational, longitudinal and ambidirectional study with follow-up of subgroups of patients with IMRD immunized with vaccines made available by the National Immunization Plan (inactivated adsorbed vaccine registered by the Instituto Butantan (IB), recombinant vaccines registered by Bio Manguinhos/ Fiocruz and by Janssen, and Pfizer/BioNTech). Sociodemographic data and questionnaires on flu syndrome, laboratory confirmation of infection and need for hospitalization and outcomes were collected and stored via an online platform. This study is associated to the SAFER Project from the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology and it was approved by the local Research Ethics Committee. Result(s): A total of 223 patients aged over 18 years, mean age 42.79 +/- 15.18 years, were included. All were within the inclusion/exclusion criteria, with 83% being female. The main IMRD included were systemic lupus erythematosus (39%) and rheumatoid arthritis (33.6%). After the 1st dose, 1.45% of patients had COVID-19, 50% sought health services (emergency care), without the need for hospitalization and after the 2nd dose, 1.5% had the disease, of which none sought health services, required hospitalization or had a negative outcome. After the 3rd dose,: 2.9%were infected with SARS-CoV-2 one month later, 15.6% two to three months later and 5.5% four to six months later, all with laboratory confirmation;only 4% presenting any serious complication;there were no deaths. After the 4th dose, 9.1%of patients had COVID-19, of which 40%were hospitalized, without the need for assisted ventilation;half of these patients had a serious complication, but there no deaths. Conclusion(s): In this study, we observed the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing severe cases of COVID-19 and complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
ABSTRACT
Treatment of COVID-19 patients and their extreme numbers represented an unprecedented challenge for the intensive care system in healthcare facilities throughout the Czech Republic, a country particularly affected by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A steep increase in the need for intensive care placed an excess burden on bed and staff capacity. For a severe and critical course of COVID-19, bilateral pneumonia with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is pathognomonic. In the intensive care setting, COVID-19 therapy is primarily symptomatic, supporting failing respiratory function to gain time needed to restore it and to repair the lungs. The aggressiveness and comprehensiveness of respiratory support depend on the severity of failure, ranging from simple oxygen therapy, to non-invasive support and mechanical ventilation, to extracorporeal support. By contrast, specific COVID-19 therapy is directly targeted against SARS-CoV-2 or modulates the organism's response to the virus. Primary, virus-induced lung injury may be secondarily complicated by coinfection or superinfection, most commonly bacterial, increasing the severity and lethality of the disease. Therefore, anti-infective therapy is crucial for the prognosis and outlook of intensive care COVID-19 patients. Among nosocomial infections com-plicating COVID-19, ventilator-associated pneumonia (developing in mechanically ventilated patients) is particularly important and challenging, and so are issues related to bacterial resistance and rational antibiotic therapy.Copyright © 2021, Trios spol. s.r.o.. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected medical decision-making in all practice areas, including the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU), sometimes necessitating the use of innovative management strategies. Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) and, particularly, late ductal stenting are infrequently applied interventions in the CICU. Here we present a critically ill infant with d-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA), ventricular septal defect (VSD), pulmonary stenosis (PS), and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), in which VV-ECMO and late ductal stenting were utilized successfully in the setting of active SARS-CoV-2 infection to treat worsening PS and pulmonary venous desaturation, thereby delaying surgical intervention and its associated risks during active infection. Case Description: A 3 month old male with d-TGA, VSD, and PS, initially managed with a balloon atrial septostomy at birth, was admitted to the CICU after presenting with respiratory distress and hypoxemia. He was found to be SARS-CoV-2 positive, requiring only nasal cannula initially. Admission echocardiogram demonstrated known d-TGA, VSD, severe pulmonary stenosis (peak gradient 95-110mmHg), unrestrictive atrial communication, and preserved systolic function. A tiny, hemodynamically insignificant PDA was also noted. While admitted, the patient exhibited intermittent, severe desaturations requiring escalating respiratory support. He was started on a prostaglandin infusion with aim to promote additional pulmonary blood flow through the PDA, thereby limiting the severity and frequency of desaturations. However, the patient ultimately became severely hypoxemic, despite multiple interventions to improve oxygenation. Echocardiogram at this time demonstrated preserved ventricular function, so the decision was made to escalate to VVECMO therapy. Following ECMO cannulation, the patient's hypoxemia quickly resolved, and he remained hemodynamically stable. Given the persistence of his PDA and the desire to avoid the risks of cardiac surgery in the setting of acute COVID infection, percutaneous intervention to augment pulmonary blood flow was attempted. Despite its diminutive size, his PDA was able to be successfully cannulated and stented the day after ECMO initiation. He was able to be quickly weaned from ECMO support and was decannulated the following day. He was subsequently extubated and ultimately discharged home with planning for definitive surgical intervention underway. Discussion(s): Here we present an interesting case of an infant with d-TGA, VSD, PS, and PDA in which VV-ECMO and PDA stenting were successfully applied to treat acute hypoxemia in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe pulmonary stenosis. These therapies may be considered in appropriate patients for whom the risks of cardiac surgery are significant.
ABSTRACT
Various guidelines recommend steroid in only severe COVID-19 patients. But in hospitals steroids are being rampantly used even at the beginning of symptom onset. Some studies indicate starting steroid only in severe and/or patients on mechanical ventilation while some suggest starting in first 5-7 days to stave off cytokine storm. Hence this study was undertaken with the aim to study the relationship between initiation of steroid therapy and clinical outcome in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The data for this study was collected from the medical records of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in a tertiary care hospital. Evaluation of relationship between day of initiating steroid therapy and dose with the clinical outcome was done in terms of all-cause mortality, duration of hospital stay, requirement of assisted ventilation, requirement of ICU and requirement of oxygen therapy. Patients were categorized according to the day of initiating steroid after symptom onset or RTPCR or RAT positivity date, whichever was earlier in 4-7 days group, 8-10 days group and 11-14 days group. And according to dose given of methylprednisolone per day in 40 mg and 80 mg groups. All-cause mortality was significantly less in 8-10 days group (25.78%) compared to 4-7 days (38%) and 11-14 days group (39.68%) and significantly less in 40 mg group (26.67%) compared to 80 mg group (38.46%). Starting steroid between 8-10 days and in low dose (40 mg) is more beneficial in terms of all-cause mortality.Copyright © 2023, Global Research Online. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 is a multisystem disease that requires holistic management. Most patients will experience mild symptoms including cough, fever and mild dyspnoea. A small proportion of patients will have severe manifestations including respiratory failure, ARDS and multiorgan failure. Extrapulmonary features are common and include gastrointestinal, thromboembolic, neurological, cardiac, renal, endocrine and dermatological manifestations. The care of COVID-19 patients requires close attention to these features. This includes respiratory support (such as supplemental oxygen, NIV and awake proning);fluid, electrolyte and nutrition management;prevention, detection and treatment of thrombotic events;management of diabetic complications;review of medications;appropriate use of antibiotics;and evidence-based use of therapeutic agents such as corticosteroids, antivirals such as remdesivir and other emerging therapies such as immunomodulating agents. Early planning for treatment escalation and decision making around the appropriateness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation are crucial as deterioration can be rapid. Prolonged symptoms occur in a minority of patients and longitudinal follow-up is required.Copyright © ERS 2021.