Palliative care terminology and practice in intensive care units in the Czech Republic: results of PEOpLE-C19 study

Study goal: Palliative care is an essential part of a complex approach to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to describe palliative care practice in ICU in the Czech Republic. Study type: a cross-sectional, questionnaire study Material and methods: The inclusion criteria for study participation were nurses or physicians taking care of patients in the ICU for patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The participants could participate by filling out the electronic survey with 40 questions. The questionnaire was evaluated by descriptive statistical analysis. Results: 313 questionnaires were analyzed. Participants reported up to 15 different terms for end-of-life care, the most often being palliative care (75.1%, n=235). The supportive care, especially sedatives, was most frequently adjusted according to the patient's needs. On the other hand, as a standard approach, the parenteral (35.8%, n=112) and enteral (17.3%, n=54) nutrition were most often withdrawn. Regarding organ support, renal replacement therapy (69.7%, n=218) and vasopressors (60.4%, n=189) were often withdrawn. The most rarely withdrawn organ support was artificial ventilation (24.6%, n=77), endotracheal intubation (11.5%,n=36), and tracheostomy cannula (2.9%, n=9). The majority of respondents would appreciate further education in palliative care. Conclusion: Palliative care is an essential theme not only in the COVID-19 pandemic. The palliative care terminology and practice used in the Czech Republic are heterogeneous. There is a space for further research and education in palliative care.

Clinical practise of administration of systemic corticosteroids among critically ill patients with COVID-19 in the Czech Republic: survey (ASAP-C)

Study objective: Administration of systemic corticosteroids in patients with severe COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) has been recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) according to the RECOVERY trial results. However, there is still ongoing debate regarding the evidence supporting the dose, timing, route of administration and type of corticosteroid. This survey aimed to describe the current clinical practice of administration of systemic corticosteroids for patients with COVID-19 within Intensive Care Units (ICU) in Czech Republic. Study design: cross-sectional survey Material and methods: Electronic survey containing 15 questions was sent to the members of Czech Society of Anaesthesiol-ogy, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, Czech Society of Intensive care and Czech Pneumological and Phthisiological Society members. The results were analysed by descriptive statistic methods. Results: The survey fulfilled 233 respondents and 231 answers were eligible for analysis. The most prevalent group was attending physician with completed training in anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine (AIM) (32 %, n = 74). The most prevalent indication for initiation of corticosteroid treatment was oxygen therapy (face mask or nasal cannula) (59,3 %, n = 137) and high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNC) (21,6 %, n = 50). The most preferred corticosteroid was dexamethasone (75,8 %, n = 175) at dose of 8 mg intravenously (i. v.) (48,6 %, n = 85), or dose of 6 mg i. v. (32,0 %, n = 56) followed by methylprednis-olone (25,5 %, n= 59) at dose of 80 mg i. v. (35,6 %, n = 21), and 40 mg i. v. (13,6 %, n = 8), respectively. The preferred duration of therapy was 10 days (dexamethasone 60,6 %, n = 106, methylprednisolone 20,3 %, n = 12). Conclusion: Administration of corticosteroid was dominantly initiated in patients with severe COVID-19 receiving supplemental oxygen. The corticosteroid of first choice was intravenous dexamethasone at dose of 8 mg and 6 mg for 10 days, respectively.

Systemic corticosteroids in the management of covid-19 ards

Human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2), due to its ability to cause lung injury in significant percentage of patients, represents great medical and even social problem. Since the outbreak of the pandemic at the end of 2019, many new therapeutics have been tested. Unfortunatelly, real benefit in high quality studies was confirmed in just a few of them. One of these exceptions is represented by corticosteroids used in patients with advanced grade of oxygenation failure. Corticosteroids have favorable influence on lung injury and potentially facilitate reparation of pulmonary functions by modulating inflammatory response mediated through glucocorticoid receptors. Their benefit was confirmed in several randomized trials and they actually represent an integral part of complex care in those patients with pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2, who are in need of oxygenotherapy or mechanical ventilation. Nevertheless, uncertainty exists regarding their optimal dose in such a broad spectrum of patients. Data from former studies performed in non coronavirus patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) favor rather larger doses of steroids than those tested in covid-19 patients. Also optimal timing and choice of specific corticosteroid remains unknown. Ongoing clinical trials could provide answers to these relevant questions.

Covid-19 and myocardial infarction

The worldwide pandemic caused by the novel acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has resulted in a new lethal disease termed coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19). Although there is an association between cardiovascular disease and covid-19, the majority of patients who require cardiovascular care for the management of ischemic heart disease may not be infected with this novel coronavirus. Cardiovascular manifestations of covid-19 are complex with patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis simulating an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), stress cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, coronary spasm, or nonspecific myocardial injury. This paper deals with the care of predominantly STEMI patients during the COVID-19 pandemic focusing on a) incidence of acute coronary syndromes;b) treatment of STEMI patients - primary percutaneous coronary intervention and fibrinolysis based strategy;c) appropriate personal protection;and d) burden for healthcare providers.

Working in the cathlab during COVID-19 pandemic

The review reflects attitude of the Czech Interventional Cardiology Association to the invasive treatment of heart diseases during COVID-19 pandemic. Primary angioplasty is preferred for the treatment of STEMI and NSTEMI with ongoing ischemia without considering patient’s COVID status. All other patients are tested for COVID minimally 48 hours before hospital or outpatient department admission. In view of the fact that pandemic development in the Czech Republic seems to be favorable, most of the cathlabs are progressively returning to standard care to shorten the period of badly accessible invasive procedures. © 2020 Czech Society of Cardiology Z.S. All rights reserved.