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1.
BMC Ophthalmol ; 23(1): 178, 2023 Apr 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2323799

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In countries where alcoholic beverages are legally prohibited, methanol toxicity usually occurs due to ingesting homemade alcoholic drinks. The initial ophthalmologic symptoms of methanol toxicity typically appear 6-48 h after ingestion, and the severity of symptoms varies widely from mild and painless decreased vision to no-light perception vision. METHODS: This prospective study examines 20 patients with acute methanol poisoning within 10 days of use. Patients underwent ocular examinations, BCVA (Best Corrected Visual Acuity) recording, and OCTA (Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography) of the macula and optic disc. BCVA measurement and imaging were repeated one month and three months after intoxication. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction in superficial parafoveal vascular density (P-value = 0.026), inner retinal thickness (P-value = 0.022), RNFL (Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer) thickness (P-value = 0.031), and an increase in cup to disc ratio (P-value < 0.001), and central visual acuity (P-value = 0.002) in this time course. However, there was no statistically significant difference in FAZ (Foveal Avascular Zone) area (P-value = 0.309), FAZ perimeter (P-value = 0.504), FD-300 (Foveal density, vascular density within a 300 µm wide region of the FAZ) (P-value = 0.541), superficial vascular density (P-value = 0.187), deep foveal vascular density (P-value = 0.889), deep parafoveal vascular density (P-value = 0.830), choroidal flow area (P-value = 0.464), total retinal thickness (P-value = 0.597), outer retinal thickness (P-value = 0.067), optic disc whole image vascular density (P-value = 0.146), vascular density inside the disc (P-value = 0.864), or peripapillary vascular density (P-value = 0.680) at different times. CONCLUSION: Over time, methanol poisoning can cause changes in retinal layers thickness, vasculature, and optic nerve head. The most important changes include cupping of the optic nerve head, reduction in RNFL thickness, and inner retinal thickness.


Subject(s)
Methanol , Optic Nerve Diseases , Humans , Tomography, Optical Coherence/methods , Prospective Studies , Retinal Vessels/diagnostic imaging , Case-Control Studies , Angiography/methods , Fluorescein Angiography/methods
2.
Kardiologiia ; 63(2): 27-33, 2023 Feb 28.
Article in Russian | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2312561

ABSTRACT

Aim      To study changes in cardiohemodynamic alterations of the myocardium and heart rhythm disorders at 3 and 6 months following the coronavirus infection.Material and methods   EchoCG, ECG Holter monitoring, and Doppler ultrasonography of hepatolienal blood vessels were performed for 77 patients (mean age, 35.9 years) at 3 and 6 months after coronavirus infection. The patients were divided into the following groups: group 1, with injury of the upper respiratory tract; group 2, with bilateral pneumonia (CТ1, 2), and group 3, with severe pneumonia (CТ3, 4). Statistical analysis was performed with a SPSS Statistics Version 25.0 software package.Results At 6 months after the disease onset, the patients noted an improvement of their general condition. In patients with moderate pneumonia, early peak diastolic velocity (p=0.09), right ventricular isovolumic diastolic time (р=0.09), and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (р=0.005) where decreased, while tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity was, in contrast, increased (р=0.042). Both segmental systolic velocity of the LV mid-inferior segment (р=0.006) and the mitral annular Em / Am ratio were decreased. In patients with severe disease at 6 months, right atrial indexed volume was reduced (р=0.036), tricuspid annular Em / Am was decreased (р=0.046), portal and splenic vein flow velocities were decreased, and inferior vena cava diameter was reduced. Late diastolic transmitral flow velocity was increased (р=0.027), and LV basal inferolateral segmental systolic velocity was decreased (р=0.046). In all groups, the number of patients with heart rhythm disorders was decreased, and parasympathetic autonomic influences prevailed.Conclusion      At 6 months after coronavirus infection, practically all patients noted improvement of their general condition; incidence rate of arrhythmia and cases of pericardial effusion were decreased; and autonomic nervous system activity recovered. In patients with moderate and severe disease, morpho-functional parameters of the right heart and the hepatolienal blood flow were normalized, however, occult disorders of LV diastolic function remained, and LV segmental systolic velocity was reduced.


Subject(s)
Atrial Appendage , Coronavirus Infections , Humans , Adult , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/diagnosis , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/etiology , Angiography , Autonomic Nervous System
3.
Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther ; 42: 103338, 2023 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2239159

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 effects microvasculature in many tissues. This study investigated whether the choroidal structure is also affected. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 80 patients with COVID-19 and the same number of age- and gender-matched healthy individuals. All participants' right eye measurements were examined. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used for imaging. Otherwise, two independent researchers used the Choroidal vascular index (CVI) for choroidal parameters calculation. RESULTS: Superior and deep flow values were lower in the COVID-19 group than in the control group, and vascular density (VD) values were lower in all regions in this group. Except for the superior mean VD, there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.003). However, the COVID-19 group had significantly lower subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFChT) measurements than the control group (p = 0.001). In addition, no significant difference was observed between the groups in evaluating mean CVI values (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Noninvasive diagnostic tools such as OCTA and EDI-OCT can be used to monitor early changes in diseases affecting microvessels, such as from COVID-19.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Photochemotherapy , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Photochemotherapy/methods , Photosensitizing Agents , Angiography , Choroid/diagnostic imaging , Choroid/blood supply , Tomography, Optical Coherence/methods , Fluorescein Angiography/methods
4.
Lancet Digit Health ; 4(10): e705-e716, 2022 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2221542

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Direct evaluation of vascular inflammation in patients with COVID-19 would facilitate more efficient trials of new treatments and identify patients at risk of long-term complications who might respond to treatment. We aimed to develop a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted image analysis platform that quantifies cytokine-driven vascular inflammation from routine CT angiograms, and sought to validate its prognostic value in COVID-19. METHODS: For this prospective outcomes validation study, we developed a radiotranscriptomic platform that uses RNA sequencing data from human internal mammary artery biopsies to develop novel radiomic signatures of vascular inflammation from CT angiography images. We then used this platform to train a radiotranscriptomic signature (C19-RS), derived from the perivascular space around the aorta and the internal mammary artery, to best describe cytokine-driven vascular inflammation. The prognostic value of C19-RS was validated externally in 435 patients (331 from study arm 3 and 104 from study arm 4) admitted to hospital with or without COVID-19, undergoing clinically indicated pulmonary CT angiography, in three UK National Health Service (NHS) trusts (Oxford, Leicester, and Bath). We evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic value of C19-RS for death in hospital due to COVID-19, did sensitivity analyses based on dexamethasone treatment, and investigated the correlation of C19-RS with systemic transcriptomic changes. FINDINGS: Patients with COVID-19 had higher C19-RS than those without (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2·97 [95% CI 1·43-6·27], p=0·0038), and those infected with the B.1.1.7 (alpha) SARS-CoV-2 variant had higher C19-RS values than those infected with the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 variant (adjusted OR 1·89 [95% CI 1·17-3·20] per SD, p=0·012). C19-RS had prognostic value for in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 in two testing cohorts (high [≥6·99] vs low [<6·99] C19-RS; hazard ratio [HR] 3·31 [95% CI 1·49-7·33], p=0·0033; and 2·58 [1·10-6·05], p=0·028), adjusted for clinical factors, biochemical biomarkers of inflammation and myocardial injury, and technical parameters. The adjusted HR for in-hospital mortality was 8·24 (95% CI 2·16-31·36, p=0·0019) in patients who received no dexamethasone treatment, but 2·27 (0·69-7·55, p=0·18) in those who received dexamethasone after the scan, suggesting that vascular inflammation might have been a therapeutic target of dexamethasone in COVID-19. Finally, C19-RS was strongly associated (r=0·61, p=0·00031) with a whole blood transcriptional module representing dysregulation of coagulation and platelet aggregation pathways. INTERPRETATION: Radiotranscriptomic analysis of CT angiography scans introduces a potentially powerful new platform for the development of non-invasive imaging biomarkers. Application of this platform in routine CT pulmonary angiography scans done in patients with COVID-19 produced the radiotranscriptomic signature C19-RS, a marker of cytokine-driven inflammation driving systemic activation of coagulation and responsible for adverse clinical outcomes, which predicts in-hospital mortality and might allow targeted therapy. FUNDING: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, British Heart Foundation, Oxford BHF Centre of Research Excellence, Innovate UK, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust, Onassis Foundation.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Angiography , Artificial Intelligence , COVID-19/diagnostic imaging , Cytokines , Humans , Inflammation/diagnostic imaging , Prospective Studies , State Medicine , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
5.
Medicina (Kaunas) ; 59(2)2023 Jan 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2200511

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: Hospital angiography suites with negative-pressure ventilation facilities are challenging to equip. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we aimed to introduce interventional radiology procedures performed on COVID-19 patients and understand management of the angiography suite without a negative-pressure ventilation facility before and after the procedures to prevent the spread of infection. Materials and Methods: Between December 2020 and November 2022, 52 COVID-19 patients underwent interventional radiology procedures in an angiography suite, where no negative-pressure ventilation facility was installed. During the procedure, all staff members wore full personal protection equipment, and after the procedure for the COVID-19-positive patient was completed, the angiography suite was disinfected and entry to the angiography suite was prohibited for 1-3 h. In this angiography suite, procedures for COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 patients were performed. Results: A total of 61 interventional radiology procedures were performed in 52 patients with COVID-19. Of 52 patients, 21 underwent procedures under intubation and mechanical ventilation. All procedures were performed according to the guidelines set by the Infection Control Committee of our hospital. No major or minor complications were associated with the procedures. There were no cases of infection among staff members or other non-COVID-19 patients related to procedures on COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: Interventional radiology can play an important role in solving the complications of COVID-19 and the problems caused by patients' underlying diseases. In addition, if accurate guidelines are followed, both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients can undergo procedures in an angiography room without negative-pressure ventilation while preventing infection.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Radiology, Interventional/methods , Pandemics/prevention & control , Angiography
6.
Cardiovasc Revasc Med ; 40S: 182-183, 2022 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2007575

ABSTRACT

Translesional coronary pressure measures the hemodynamic significance of epicardial coronary artery disease. Angiographic-physiologic mismatching is attributed mainly to imaging limitations. We present a patient with extreme visual-physiologic functional mismatch and a markedly elevated left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) as a potential contributory mechanism.


Subject(s)
Coronary Artery Disease , Hemodynamics , Angiography , Blood Pressure , Coronary Artery Disease/diagnostic imaging , Coronary Artery Disease/therapy , Humans
7.
J Thorac Imaging ; 37(4): 225-230, 2022 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1909065

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine if computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) ordering increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic in an emergency department (ED) setting; if positive findings for pulmonary embolism (PE) increased to the same degree; and whether COVID-positive patients have a higher incidence of PE than COVID-negative patients at ED presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of CTPA performed in our ED between June and December in 2019 and 2020. We collected data on patient demographics, symptoms, COVID-19 status, lab and imaging results, and risk factors for PE. We used a Wilcoxon rank sum to analyze quantitative variables and χ2 or Fisher test for categorical variables. We used logistic regression to identify predictive factors for PE. RESULTS: CTPA ordering increased from 432 studies in 2019 to 699 in 2020 (+61.8%, P<0.0001), but detection rates for PE remained stable (11.3% vs. 10.2%, P=0.61). In 2020, 10 of 91 COVID-positive patients undergoing CTPA had positive studies. On regression analysis, COVID-19 was not a significant predictor of PE at ED presentation (odds ratio 1.029, 95% confidence interval: 0.959-1.103). COVID-positive patients were more likely to have nondiagnostic imaging (7.7% vs. 2.5% [COVID-negative] and 0.8% [not tested], P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: While CTPA ordering increased significantly during the pandemic, our positivity rate remained stable, suggesting that this increase was appropriate. COVID-positive patients who underwent CTPA in the ED did not have a higher incidence of PE than other patients. Clinicians should use clinical judgment to weigh the likelihood of PE against the risk of nondiagnostic results when determining whether to expose COVID-positive patients to high-dose radiation and contrast with CTPA on initial presentation.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pulmonary Embolism , Angiography/methods , Computed Tomography Angiography/methods , Emergency Service, Hospital , Humans , Pandemics , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnostic imaging , Retrospective Studies
8.
BMJ Open ; 12(5): e055878, 2022 05 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1891826

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are a paucity of randomised data on the optimal timing of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in higher-risk patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (N-STEMI). International guideline recommendations for early ICA are primarily based on retrospective subgroup analyses of neutral trials. AIMS: The RAPID N-STEMI trial aims to determine whether very early percutaneous revascularisation improves clinical outcomes as compared with a standard of care strategy in higher-risk N-STEMI patients. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: RAPID N-STEMI is a prospective, multicentre, open-label, randomised-controlled, pragmatic strategy trial. Higher-risk N-STEMI patients, as defined by Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events 2.0 score ≥118, or >90 with at least one additional high-risk feature, were randomised to either: very early ICA±revascularisation or standard of care timing of ICA±revascularisation. The primary outcome is the proportion of participants with at least one of the following events (all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction and hospital admission for heart failure) at 12 months. Key secondary outcomes include major bleeding and stroke. A hypothesis generating cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) substudy will provide mechanistic data on infarct size, myocardial salvage and residual ischaemia post percutaneous coronary intervention. On 7 April 2021, the sponsor discontinued enrolment due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lower than expected event rates. 425 patients were enrolled, and 61 patients underwent CMR. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial has been reviewed and approved by the East of England Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee (18/EE/0222). The study results will be submitted for publication within 6 months of completion. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03707314; Pre-results.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction , ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction , Angiography , Humans , Multicenter Studies as Topic , Pandemics , Prospective Studies , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Retrospective Studies , ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/diagnostic imaging , ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/therapy , Standard of Care
9.
J Comput Assist Tomogr ; 46(5): 701-706, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1891220

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: COVID-19 infection poses a significant risk of both renal injury and pulmonary embolism, producing a clinical challenge, as the criterion standard examination for pulmonary embolism, computed tomography angiography (CTA), requires the use of nephrotoxic iodinated contrast agents.Our investigation evaluated whether symptomatic COVID-19-positive patients without laboratory evidence of renal impairment are at increased risk for developing contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI). METHOD: All COVID-19-positive patients undergoing noncontrast chest computed tomography and CTA at an apex tertiary medical center between March 1 and December 10, 2020, were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 258 renal-competent (estimated glomerular filtration rate >30) patients with baseline and 48- to 72-hour postexamination creatinine measurements were identified and analyzed for incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) meeting the criteria for CA-AKI. RESULTS: Twenty-five of 191 patients undergoing CTA (13.1%) and 9 of the 67 undergoing noncontrast computed tomography (13.4%) experienced creatinine increases meeting the criteria for CA-AKI. Univariate and multivariate analyses accounting for known AKI risk factors revealed no correlation between iodinated contrast administration and the incidence AKI meeting the criteria for CA-AKI (univariable odds ratio, 0.97 [95% confidence interval, 0.43-2.20]; multivariable odds ratio, 0.97 [95% confidence interval, 0.40-2.36]). CONCLUSIONS: Renal-competent COVID-19 patients undergoing chest CTA may not have an increased risk of AKI. Additional studies are needed to confirm this preliminary finding.


Subject(s)
Acute Kidney Injury , COVID-19 , Pulmonary Embolism , Acute Kidney Injury/chemically induced , Acute Kidney Injury/epidemiology , Angiography , Contrast Media/adverse effects , Creatinine , Glomerular Filtration Rate , Humans , Incidence , Kidney/diagnostic imaging , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors
10.
Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) ; 68(3): 413-416, 2022 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1808652

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of aortic arch anomaly in COVID-19 patients and to determine whether it will be included in the risk classification. METHODS: The study was retrospectively conducted in a third-level hospital by scanning the contrast-enhanced thoracic computed tomography and thoracic computed tomography angiography examinations of patients who received PCR (+), hospitalization, and known COVID pneumonia between March 2020 and July 2021. The study consists of 88 cases and 88 control groups. RESULTS: The study found that the frequency of aortic arch anomaly was higher in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and in male patients with bovine-type anomaly. CONCLUSIONS: The higher prevalence of bovine arch anomaly in COVID patients may be considered a risk factor for COVID-19 in individuals with this type of vascular anomaly.


Subject(s)
Aorta, Thoracic , COVID-19 , Angiography , Aorta, Thoracic/diagnostic imaging , COVID-19/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Retrospective Studies , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
11.
Postgrad Med J ; 99(1172): 570-575, 2023 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1794456

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Various complications have been reported in patients with COVID-19 including pneumomediastinum. METHODS: The primary objective of the study was to determine the incidence of pneumomediastinum in COVID-19 positive patients who underwent CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). The secondary objectives were to analyse if the incidence of pneumomediastinum changed between March and May 2020 (peak of the first wave in the UK) and January 2021 (peak of the second wave in the UK) and to determine the mortality rate in patients with pneumomediastinum. We undertook an observational, retrospective, single-centre, cohort study of patients with COVID-19 admitted to Northwick Park Hospital. RESULTS: 74 patients in the first wave and 220 patients in the second wave met the study criteria. Two patients during the first wave and eleven patients during the second wave developed pneumomediastinum. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of pneumomediastinum changed from 2.7% during the first wave to 5% during the second wave and this change was not statistically significant (p value 0.4057). The difference in mortality rates of patients with pneumomediastinum in both waves of COVID-19 (69.23%) versus patients without pneumomediastinum in both waves of COVID-19 (25.62%) was statistically significant (p value 0.0005). Many patients with pneumomediastinum were ventilated, which could be a confounding factor. When controlling for ventilation, there was no statistically significant difference in the mortality rates of ventilated patients with pneumomediastinum (81.81%) versus ventilated patients without pneumomediastinum (59.30%) (p value 0.14).


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mediastinal Emphysema , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Cohort Studies , Mediastinal Emphysema/diagnostic imaging , Mediastinal Emphysema/epidemiology , Mediastinal Emphysema/etiology , COVID-19/complications , Angiography , Computed Tomography Angiography
12.
J Glaucoma ; 31(6): 399-405, 2022 06 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1758887

ABSTRACT

PRCIS: Face mask wearing has no significant effects on artifacts or vessel density measurements in optic nerve head (ONH) and macular optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) scans. PURPOSE: The aim was to assess the difference in area of artifacts observed in optical OCT-A scans with and without face mask wear and to verify if mask wear interferes with OCT-A vessel density measurements. SUBJECTS AND CONTROLS: A total of 64 eyes of 10 healthy subjects, 4 ocular hypertensive, 8 glaucoma suspects, and 17 glaucoma patients were included. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High-density ONH and macula OCT-A scans were obtained in patients with and without surgical masks. Seven different artifacts (motion, decentration, defocus, shadow, segmentation failure, blink, and Z-offset) were quantitatively evaluated by 2 trained graders. The changes in the area (% of scan area) of artifacts, without and with mask wearing, and differences of vessel density were evaluated. RESULTS: Trends of increasing motion artifact area for the ONH scans [4.23 (-0.52, 8.98) %, P=0.08] and defocus artifact area for the macular scans [1.06 (-0.14, 2.26) %, P=0.08] were found with face mask wear. However, there were no significant differences in the mean % area of any artifacts (P>0.05 for all). Further, the estimated mean difference in vessel density in images acquired without and with masks was not significant for any type of artifact. CONCLUSION: Face mask wearing had no significant effect on area of artifacts or vessel density measurements. OCT-A vessel density measurements can be acquired reliably with face mask wear during the pandemic.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Glaucoma , Angiography/methods , Artifacts , COVID-19/epidemiology , Fluorescein Angiography/methods , Humans , Intraocular Pressure , Masks , Pandemics , Retinal Vessels , Tomography, Optical Coherence/methods
13.
Clin Imaging ; 85: 10-13, 2022 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1705727

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is associated with pulmonary embolism (PE) in adults. However, the rate of PE in pediatric patients with acute COVID-19 evaluated by CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: Determine PE rate in pediatric patients with acute COVID-19 and compare to adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of CTPA studies, performed between March 2020 and January 2021 on pediatric patients with acute COVID-19, but not MIS-C, was performed. CTPAs performed on an adult cohort of acute COVID-19 patients during April 2020 were reviewed for comparison. Pediatric and chest radiologists independently reviewed CTPAs of pediatric and adult patients, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 355 acute COVID-19 pediatric patients treated during the study period, 14 (16.6 ± 4.8y, median-18.5y, 64% female) underwent CTPA. Of the 1868 acute COVID-19 adults treated during two weeks in April 2020, 50 (57.2 ± 17.0y, median-57.0y, 42% female) underwent CTPA. The PE rate was 14% in the pediatric group (2 patients) and 18% in the adult group (9 patients) (p = 1.0). Both pediatric patients with PE were obese, over 18y, and had asthma, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension. No child<18y with acute COVID-19 had PE. In the adult cohort, higher alanine-aminotransferase and D-dimer levels were associated with PE (p = 0.04 and p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: Despite similar PE rates in pediatric and adult patients, PE occurred in acute COVID-19 pediatric patients who were >18y, obese, and had at least 1 comorbidity. Children <18y with COVID-19 did not have PE.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pulmonary Embolism , Adult , Angiography , COVID-19/complications , Child , Computed Tomography Angiography , Female , Humans , Male , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnostic imaging , Pulmonary Embolism/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies
15.
J Thromb Thrombolysis ; 52(4): 1068-1073, 2021 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1525577

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 patients have increased risk of pulmonary embolism (PE), but symptoms of both conditions overlap. Because screening algorithms for PE in COVID-19 patients are currently lacking, PE might be underdiagnosed. We evaluated a screening algorithm in which all patients presenting to the ED with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 routinely undergo D-dimer testing, followed by CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) if D-dimer is ≥ 1.00 mg/L. Consecutive adult patients presenting to the ED of two university hospitals in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, between 01-10-2020 and 31-12-2020, who had a final diagnosis of COVID-19, were retrospectively included. D-dimer and CTPA results were obtained. Of 541 patients with a final diagnosis of COVID-19 presenting to the ED, 25 (4.6%) were excluded because D-dimer was missing, and 71 (13.1%) because they used anticoagulation therapy. Of 445 included patients, 185 (41.6%; 95%CI 37.0-46.3) had a D-dimer ≥ 1.00 mg/L. CTPA was performed in 169 of them, which showed PE in 26 (15.4%; 95%CI 10.3-21.7), resulting in an overall detection rate of 5.8% (95%CI 3.9-8.4) in the complete study group. In patients with and without PE at CTPA, median D-dimer was 9.84 (IQR 3.90-29.38) and 1.64 (IQR 1.17-3.01), respectively (p < 0.001). PE prevalence increased with increasing D-dimer, ranging from 1.2% (95%CI 0.0-6.4) if D-dimer was 1.00-1.99 mg/L, to 48.6% (95%CI 31.4-66.0) if D-dimer was ≥ 5.00 mg/L. In conclusion, by applying this screening algorithm, PE was identified in a considerable proportion of COVID-19 patients. Prospective management studies should assess if this algorithm safely rules-out PE if D-dimer is < 1.00 mg/L.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products/analysis , Pulmonary Embolism , Adult , Angiography , COVID-19/complications , Emergency Service, Hospital , Humans , Netherlands , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnostic imaging , Retrospective Studies
18.
Medicina (Kaunas) ; 57(8)2021 Jul 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1376897

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: bedside cardiac ultrasound is a widely adopted method in Emergency Departments (ED) for extending physical examination and refining clinical diagnosis. However, in the setting of hemodynamically-stable pulmonary embolism, the diagnostic role of echocardiography is still the subject of debate. In light of its high specificity and low sensitivity, some authors suggest that echocardiographic signs of right ventricle overload could be used to rule-in pulmonary embolism. In this study, we aimed to clarify the diagnostic role of echocardiographic signs of right ventricle overload in the setting of hemodynamically-stable pulmonary embolism in the ED. Materials and Methods: we performed a systematic review of literature in PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane databases, considering the echocardiographic signs for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the ED. Studies considering unstable or shocked patients were excluded. Papers enrolling hemodynamically stable subjects were selected. We performed a diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis for each sign, and then performed a critical evaluation according to pretest probability, assessed with Wells' score for pulmonary embolism. Results: 10 studies were finally included. We observed a good specificity and a low sensitivity of each echocardiographic sign of right ventricle overload. However, once stratified by the Wells' score, the post-test probability only increased among high-risk patients. Conclusions: signs of echocardiographic right ventricle overload should not be used to modify the clinical behavior in low- and intermediate- risk patients according to Wells' score classification. Among high-risk patients, however, echocardiographic signs could help a physician in detecting patients with the highest probability of pulmonary embolism, necessitating a confirmation by computed tomography with pulmonary angiography. However, a focused cardiac and thoracic ultrasound investigation is useful for the differential diagnosis of dyspnea and chest pain in the ED.


Subject(s)
Pulmonary Embolism , Angiography , Echocardiography , Emergency Service, Hospital , Humans , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography
19.
World Neurosurg ; 154: e320-e324, 2021 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1309404

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Increasing restrictions over trainees' working hours and the recent coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic warrant new educational methods of surgical skills. We assessed a novel video-recording system for neuroendovascular skill education, developed with the installation of a hybrid operating room (OR) at our institution. METHODS: A single-plane angiography unit with a large flat display (FlexVision XL; Philips Medical Systems) was installed in our OR. All media sources in the OR, including live fluoroscopy and ceiling-mounted camcorders, were connected to a video switcher. This video switcher laid up to 8 video images into one big image, which was transferred to the large display and the professional-use Blu-ray recorder. The recording was performed continuously during the procedure. This recording system was evaluated retrospectively with a questionnaire administered to the 5 trainees. RESULTS: Using this system, 68 interventional procedures were recorded. Among the potential merits, the trainees assigned the greatest value to the simultaneous recording of the operator's hand motions and the fluoroscopy images. Among the potential limitations of the system, the prolonged time and the increased volume of the video data bothered the trainees the most. The recorded video looked like a live demonstration. CONCLUSIONS: Our "selfie" video recording system was useful for skill training of neuroendovascular interventions.


Subject(s)
Endovascular Procedures/education , Neurosurgery/education , Neurosurgical Procedures/education , Operating Rooms , Video Recording , Angiography , COVID-19 , Clinical Competence , Education, Medical, Graduate , Fluoroscopy , Humans , Internship and Residency , Pandemics , Retrospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires
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