Impact of Pre-Transplant Left Ventricular Diastolic Pressure on Primary Graft Dysfunction after Lung Transplantation: A Narrative Review.

Lung transplantation (LT) constitutes the last therapeutic option for selected patients with end-stage respiratory disease. Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a form of severe lung injury, occurring in the first 72 h following LT and constitutes the most common cause of early death after LT. The presence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been reported to favor PGD development, with a negative impact on patients' outcomes while complicating medical management. Although several studies have suggested a potential association between pre-LT left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and PGD occurrence, the underlying mechanisms of such an association remain elusive. Importantly, the heterogeneity of the study protocols and the various inclusion criteria used to define the diastolic dysfunction in those patients prevents solid conclusions from being drawn. In this review, we aim at summarizing PGD mechanisms, risk factors, and diagnostic criteria, with a further focus on the interplay between LVDD and PGD development. Finally, we explore the predictive value of several diastolic dysfunction diagnostic parameters to predict PGD occurrence and severity.

Emerging Trends in Left Ventricular Thrombus: A Comprehensive Review of Non-Ischemic and Ischemic Cardiopathies, Including Eosinophilic Myocarditis, Chagas Cardiomyopathy, Amyloidosis, and Innovative Anticoagulant Approaches.

This comprehensive review explores the intricate aspects of left ventricular thrombus (LVT), a potential complication in both ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. It provides a thorough understanding of left ventricular thrombus, revealing its uncommon incidence in the general population (7 cases per 10,000 patients), predominantly linked to ischemic heart diseases (ICMs) at an 80% prevalence rate. Diagnostic tools, notably transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), demonstrate varying sensitivity but remain indispensable in specific clinical contexts related to LVT as non-invasive diagnostic modalities. A detailed comparison between ICM patients and those with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) who have left ventricular thrombus reveals subtle distinctions with significant clinical implications. This analysis underscores the importance of these imaging techniques in distinguishing between the two conditions. Additionally, we explored the occurrence of LVT in specific non-ischemic cardiomyopathies, including Takotsubo syndrome, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, eosinophilic myocarditis, Chagas disease, cardiac amyloidosis, and several other conditions. The article further delves into anticoagulation strategies, thoroughly examining their impact on LVT regression and patient outcomes. Pharmacological interventions, with a focus on direct oral anticoagulants, emerge as promising alternatives; however, there is insufficient information on their efficiency and safety, especially in NICM population. In conclusion, this review highlights the complex nature of LVT, incorporating a range of etiopathogenic factors, diagnostic complexities, and evolving therapeutic approaches. It emphasizes the pressing need for ongoing research in this field.

Unmasking Pandemic Echoes: An In-Depth Review of Long COVID's Unabated Cardiovascular Consequences beyond 2020.

At the beginning of 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged as a new pandemic, leading to a worldwide health crisis and overwhelming healthcare systems due to high numbers of hospital admissions, insufficient resources, and a lack of standardized therapeutic protocols. Multiple genetic variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been detected since its first public declaration in 2020, some of them being considered variants of concern (VOCs) corresponding to several pandemic waves. Nevertheless, a growing number of COVID-19 patients are continuously discharged from hospitals, remaining symptomatic even months after their first episode of COVID-19 infection. Long COVID-19 or 'post-acute COVID-19 syndrome' emerged as the new pandemic, being characterized by a high variability of clinical manifestations ranging from cardiorespiratory and neurological symptoms such as chest pain, exertional dyspnoea or cognitive disturbance to psychological disturbances, e.g., depression, anxiety or sleep disturbance with a crucial impact on patients' quality of life. Moreover, Long COVID is viewed as a new cardiovascular risk factor capable of modifying the trajectory of current and future cardiovascular diseases, altering the patients' prognosis. Therefore, in this review we address the current definitions of Long COVID and its pathophysiology, with a focus on cardiovascular manifestations. Furthermore, we aim to review the mechanisms of acute and chronic cardiac injury and the variety of cardiovascular sequelae observed in recovered COVID-19 patients, in addition to the potential role of Long COVID clinics in the medical management of this new condition. We will further address the role of future research for a better understanding of the actual impact of Long COVID and future therapeutic directions.

Resuscitative TEE after open heart surgery: When POCUS fails to FOCUS.

Echocardiography is key in evaluating the cause of collapse in the post-cardiac surgery patient. Transesophageal echocardiography provides a greater capability for the diagnosis of pericardial effusion in patients who arrest after cardiac surgery.

An imaging artifact unmasked by contrast-enhanced transesophageal echocardiography.

Performing transesophageal imaging of the left atrial appendage is key before cardioversion for atrial fibrillation. Ultrasound artifacts may induce misinterpretation and decrease in confidence for thrombus exclusion.

Barotrauma in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome: retrospective analysis of the COVADIS prospective multicenter observational database.

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence suggesting a higher risk of barotrauma during COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) compared to ARDS due to other causes, data are limited about possible associations with patient characteristics, ventilation strategy, and survival. METHODS: This prospective observational multicenter study included consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 ARDS requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and managed at any of 12 centers in France and Belgium between March and December 2020. The primary objective was to determine whether barotrauma was associated with ICU mortality (censored on day 90), and the secondary objective was to identify factors associated with barotrauma. RESULTS: Of 586 patients, 48 (8.2%) experienced barotrauma, including 35 with pneumothorax, 23 with pneumomediastinum, 1 with pneumoperitoneum, and 6 with subcutaneous emphysema. Median time from mechanical ventilation initiation to barotrauma detection was 3 [0-17] days. All patients received protective ventilation and nearly half (23/48) were in volume-controlled mode. Barotrauma was associated with higher hospital mortality (P < 0.001) even after adjustment on age, sex, comorbidities, PaO2/FiO2 at intubation, plateau pressure at intubation, and center (P < 0.05). The group with barotrauma had a lower mean body mass index (28.6 ± 5.8 vs. 30.3 ± 5.9, P = 0.03) and a higher proportion of patients given corticosteroids (87.5% vs. 63.4%, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Barotrauma during mechanical ventilation for COVID-19 ARDS was associated with higher hospital mortality.

Strain echocardiography in a sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy.

Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy represents a challenging disorder for critical care practitioners in terms of diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. Strain echocardiography may help to identify ventricular dysfunction at precocious stage in critically ill patients. In this manuscript, we describe early impairment in left ventricular systolic function using speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Cardiac CT findings in patients with family history of premature CAD: an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: A family history of premature CAD may promote enhanced development of coronary atherosclerosis in a sibling population. Baseline CV algorithms may underestimate the risk of coronary incidents in individuals at familial risk. Cardiac CT provides high diagnostic performance for the detection of coronary plaques. There is little data on the use of this technology in the initial diagnostic approach of these patients. The prognostic value of early detection of coronary plaques by cardiac CT remains unknown in this population. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to estimate the global CV risk and the pre-test probability of CAD in patients with a family history of premature CAD. We investigated the potential role of cardiac CT imaging in the assessment of coronary risk in patients from high-risk families. We sought to remind the 2019 ESC guidelines for screening for CAD in asymptomatic subjects. METHODS: Fifty siblings of patients with premature CAD were investigated. The pre-test probability of CAD was determined with the Clinical Model of the CAD consortium. The risk of CV disease was calculated and compared with three different risk algorithms (SCORE, FRS, PROCAM). All patients underwent cardiac CT with both non-contrast and contrast imaging. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring was calculated and CT angiograms were analyzed. Patients with suspected CT obstructive CAD underwent coronary angiography. Clinical outcomes in terms of treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: The pre-test probability of CAD was low: CAD consortium <10% in 60%, SCORE <5% in 100%, FRS <10% in 88%, CAC scoring <100% in 68%. However, PROCAM was <10% in 16 cases (32%). Only 12 patients (24%) presented normal CCTA findings. In patients with abnormal CCTA findings (n = 38), PROCAM was higher than FRS in 20 patients (53%). Coronary angiography was performed in 31 cases (62%) for suspected CT obstructive CAD. Most patients presented no significant lesions (55%). Revascularization was performed in 8 patients (16%), 6 of them (75%) presented CAC scoring <100, 4 of them (50%) presented CAC scoring <400. After investigation, lipid-lowering therapy was enhanced by 66%. CONCLUSION: Coronary atherosclerotic-phenotyping using cardiac CT may provide discriminatory information allowing earlier identification of patients at familial risk of premature CAD. This diagnostic workup strategy may help to guide and improve the management of these patients. However, there is a paucity of data concerning the prognostic significance of this technology in relatives at familial risk of premature CAD. Therefore, further randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the incremental risk-predictive value of this approach in this population.

Three-dimensional critical care transesophageal echocardiography: A bedside tool in the diagnosis and management of shock.

Critical care echocardiography has become fundamental in diagnosis, management, and monitoring of patients in shock. Transesophageal echocardiography has gained importance, particularly in critically ill patients under mechanical ventilation. We describe echocardiographic findings concerning a patient admitted with confusion, pulmonary edema, hypotension, and systolic murmur at apex.

Identifying Clinical Phenotypes in Moderate to Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Related to COVID-19: The COVADIS Study.

Objectives: Different phenotypes have been identified in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Existence of several phenotypes in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) related acute respiratory distress syndrome is unknown. We sought to identify different phenotypes of patients with moderate to severe ARDS related to COVID-19. Methods: We conducted an observational study of 416 COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe ARDS at 21 intensive care units in Belgium and France. The primary outcome was day-28 ventilatory free days. Secondary outcomes were mortality on day 28, acute kidney injury, acute cardiac injury, pulmonary embolism, and deep venous thrombosis. Multiple factor analysis and hierarchical classification on principal components were performed to distinguish different clinical phenotypes. Results: We identified three different phenotypes in 150, 176, and 90 patients, respectively. Phenotype 3 was characterized by short evolution, severe hypoxemia, and old comorbid patients. Phenotype 1 was mainly characterized by the absence of comorbidities, relatively high compliance, and long duration of symptoms, whereas phenotype 2 was characterized female sex, and the presence of mild comorbidities such as uncomplicated diabetes or chronic hypertension. The compliance in phenotype 2 was lower than that in phenotype 1, with higher plateau and driving pressure. Phenotype 3 was associated with higher mortality compared to phenotypes 1 and 2. Conclusions: In COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe ARDS, we identified three clinical phenotypes. One of these included older people with comorbidities who had a fulminant course of disease with poor prognosis. Requirement of different treatments and ventilatory strategies for each phenotype needs further investigation.

Static compliance of the respiratory system in COVID-19 related ARDS: an international multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Controversies exist on the nature of COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in particular on the static compliance of the respiratory system (Crs). We aimed to analyze the association of Crs with outcome in COVID-19-associated ARDS, to ascertain its determinants and to describe its evolution at day-14. METHODS: In this observational multicenter cohort of patients with moderate to severe Covid-19 ARDS, Crs was measured at day-1 and day-14. Association between Crs or Crs/ideal body weight (IBW) and breathing without assistance at day-28 was analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. Determinants were ascertained by multivariable linear regression. Day-14 Crs was compared to day-1 Crs with paired t-test in patients still under controlled mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: The mean Crs in 372 patients was 37.6 ± 13 mL/cmH2O, similar to as in ARDS of other causes. Multivariate linear regression identified chronic hypertension, low PaO2/FiO2 ratio, low PEEP, and low tidal volume as associated with lower Crs/IBW. After adjustment on confounders, nor Crs [OR 1.0 (CI 95% 0.98-1.02)] neither Crs/IBW [OR 0.63 (CI 95% 0.13-3.1)] were associated with the chance of breathing without assistance at day-28 whereas plateau pressure was [OR 0.93 (CI 95% 0.88-0.99)]. In a subset of 108 patients, day-14 Crs decreased compared to day-1 Crs (31.2 ± 14.4 mL/cmH2O vs 37.8 ± 11.4 mL/cmH2O, p < 0.001). The decrease in Crs was not associated with day-28 outcome. CONCLUSION: In a large multicenter cohort of moderate to severe COVID-19 ARDS, mean Crs was decreased below 40 mL/cmH2O and was not associated with day-28 outcome. Crs decreased between day-1 and day-14 but the decrease was not associated with day-28 outcome.

COVID-19 pandemic: overview of protective-ventilation strategy in ARDS patients.

Objectives: In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, the aim of this manuscript is to provide a standard of care of patients with ARDS for non-emergency medicine trained physicians who are not customary with mechanical ventilation.Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature to investigate the best practice recommendations regarding the mechanical ventilation of patients with ARDS.Conclusion: We summarized the principal strategies for lung-protective ventilation of patients with ARDS. This focus is particularly addressed to physicians who are not experienced in the invasive respiratory management of ARDS patients. Nevertheless, it remains fundamental to acknowledge that new insights concerning this quickly spreading illness become available on a regular base.

Predictors of Mortality and Effect of Drug Therapies in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

We conducted a multicenter cohort study to determine the effect of drug therapies on survival in mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019. All consecutive adult patients admitted to ICU for coronavirus disease 2019 from March 1, 2020, to April 25, 2020, and under invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours were included. Out of 2,003 patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019, 361 were admitted to ICU, 257 were ventilated for more than 24 hours, and 247 were included in the study. Simple and multiple time-dependent Cox regression models were used to assess the effects of factors on survival. Methylprednisolone administration during the first week of mechanical ventilation was associated with a decrease in mortality rate from 48% to 34% (p = 0.01). Mortality was significantly associated with older age, higher creatinine, lower lymphocyte count, and mean arterial pressure lower than 70 mm Hg on the day of admission.

Characteristics and outcomes of acute respiratory distress syndrome related to COVID-19 in Belgian and French intensive care units according to antiviral strategies: the COVADIS multicentre observational study.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available regarding antiviral therapy efficacy in most severe patients under mechanical ventilation for Covid-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: Comparison of antiviral strategies (none, hydroxychloroquine (OHQ), lopinavir/ritonavir (L/R), others (combination or remdesivir) in an observational multicentre cohort of patients with moderate-to-severe Covid-19 ARDS. The primary endpoint was the number of day 28 ventilator-free days (VFD). Patients who died before d28 were considered as having 0 VFD. The variable was dichotomized into "patients still ventilated or dead at day 28" versus "patients weaned and alive at day 28". RESULTS: We analyzed 415 patients (85 treated with standard of care (SOC), 57 with L/R, 220 with OHQ, and 53 others). The median number of d28-VFD was 0 (IQR 0-13) and differed between groups (P = 0.03), SOC patients having the highest d28-VFD. After adjustment for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, PaO2/FiO2 ratio and plateau pressure and accounting for center effect with a generalized linear mixed model, none of the antiviral strategies increased the chance of being alive and weaned from MV at day 28 compared to the SOC strategy (OR 0.48 CI95% (0.18-1.25); OR 0.96 (0.47-2.02) and OR 1.43 (0.53-4.04) for L/R, OHQ and other treatments, respectively). Acute kidney injury during ICU stay was frequent (55%); its incidence was higher in patients receiving lopinavir (66 vs 53%, P = 0.03). After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, chronic hypertension and chronic renal disease, the use of L/R was associated with an increased risk of renal replacement therapy (RRT). (OR 2.52 CI95% 1.16-5.59). CONCLUSION: In this multicentre observational study of moderate-to-severe Covid-19 ARDS patients, we did not observe any benefit among patients treated with OHQ or L/R compared with SOC. The use of L/R treatment was associated with an increased need for RRT. Take home message Neither hydroxychloroquine nor lopinavir/ritonavir as COVID-19 antiviral treatment is associated with higher ventilator-free days at day 28 when compared with standard of care (no antiviral treatment) in ICU patients under invasive mechanical ventilation. Lopinavir/ritonavir is associated with an increased risk of renal replacement therapy requirement. Tweet COVID-19: Insights from ARDS cohort: no signal of efficacy of any antiviral drugs. Lopinavir/ritonavir may be associated with need for RRT.

Factors Associated With Pulmonary Embolism Among Coronavirus Disease 2019 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Multicenter Study Among 375 Patients.

Risk factors associated with pulmonary embolism in coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients deserve to be better known. We therefore performed a post hoc analysis from the COronaVirus-Associated DIsease Study (COVADIS) project, a multicenter observational study gathering 21 ICUs from France (n = 12) and Belgium (n = 9). Three-hundred seventy-five consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and positive coronavirus disease 2019 were included in the study. At day 28, 15% were diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Known risk factors for pulmonary embolism including cancer, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were not associated with pulmonary embolism. In the multivariate analysis, younger age (< 65 yr) (odds ratio, 2.14; 1.17-4.03), time between onset of symptoms and antiviral administration greater than or equal to 7 days (odds ratio, 2.39; 1.27-4.73), and use of neuromuscular blockers greater than or equal to 7 days (odds ratio, 1.89; 1.05-3.43) were independently associated with pulmonary embolism. These new findings reinforce the need for prospective studies that will determine the predictors of pulmonary embolism among patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019.

Leptospirosis-induced purpura: An atypical manifestation of Weil's disease.

Purpura is a rare but documented presenting feature of severe leptospirosis. We describe a case of Weil's disease characterized by predominating coagulopathy and hepato-nephritis. We illustrate dynamic changes in cutaneous lesions.

Cardiac computed tomography in asymptomatic siblings of patients with premature coronary disease: illustrations and current knowledge.

A strong family history of early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD) may represent a substantial predictor of enhanced development of subclinical atherosclerosis in a sibling population. In this population, standard cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment could be underrated with the predictive capacity of the Framingham Risk Score. At present, cardiac computed tomography (CT) provides a high diagnostic performance for the detection of coronary atherosclerosis. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of data concerning the prognostic value of this technology in apparently healthy relatives of patients with premature coronary events. In addition, little is known about the prevalence of CAD in the siblings of patients with premature cardiac events. However, we are convinced that the reclassification of cardiac risk in middle-aged adults at familial risk is a fundamental issue in preventive cardiology. In this manuscript, we report cardiac CT findings in three subjects apparently free of CV disease from families with early-onset CAD. Afterwards, we provide a summary of the current knowledge and discuss the potential usefulness of this non-invasive imaging technique in susceptible individuals. Finally, we hope that this article will help to increase awareness for the management of middle-aged adults from high-risk families.