Effect of Direct Bilirubin Level on Clinical Outcome and Prognoses in Severely/Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate how changes in direct bilirubin (DBiL) levels in severely/critically ill the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients during their first week of hospital admission affect their subsequent prognoses and mortality. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 337 severely/critically ill COVID-19 patients with two consecutive blood tests at hospital admission and about 7 days after. Based on the trend of the two consecutive tests, we categorized patients into the normal direct bilirubin (DBiL) group (224), declined DBiL group (44) and elevated DBiL group (79). Results: The elevated DBiL group had a significantly larger proportion of critically ill patients (χ2-test, p < 0.001), a higher risk of ICU admission, respiratory failure, and shock at hospital admission (χ2-test, all p < 0.001). During hospitalization, the elevated DBiL group had significantly higher risks of shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and respiratory failure (χ2-test, all p < 0.001). The same findings were observed for heart damage (χ2-test, p = 0.002) and acute renal injury (χ2-test, p = 0.009). Cox regression analysis showed the risk of mortality in the elevated DBiL group was 2.27 (95% CI: 1.50-3.43, p < 0.001) times higher than that in the normal DBiL group after adjusted age, initial symptom, and laboratory markers. The Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC) analysis demonstrated that the second test of DBiL was consistently a better indicator of the occurrence of complications (except shock) and mortality than the first test in severely/critically ill COVID-19 patients. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) combined with two consecutive DBiL levels for respiratory failure and death was the largest. Conclusion: Elevated DBiL levels are an independent indicator for complication and mortality in COVID-19 patients. Compared with the DBiL levels at admission, DBiL levels on days 7 days of hospitalization are more advantageous in predicting the prognoses of COVID-19 in severely/critically ill patients.

[Can angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor be used in chronic kidney disease patients with serum creatinine level greater than 266 micromol/L?].

OBJECTIVE: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) has been demonstrated to have protective effect for patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, little evidence is available for the benefit or side-effects of ACEI in treating patients with more severe CKD. A prospective, randomized controlled trial was performed to evaluate the renal protective effect and safety of ACEI in patients whose serum creatinine (Scr) levels were higher than 265 micromol/L. METHODS: 168 CKD patients took benazepril for two months. 21 patients quitted the trial because of cough. The remaining 147 CKD patients were divided into two groups according to their Scr levels. Patients with Scr 133 - 265 micromol/L were included in group A (n = 55), and those with Scr 266-442 micromol/L were included in group B (n = 92). Furthermore, group B were divided randomly into two subgroups, B1 (n = 47) and B2 (n = 45). Benazepril was given (10 - 20 mg/d) as an intervention for group A and group B1. Additional calcium-channel antagonist and/or beta-blocker and/or vasodilator were used for blood pressure control in those two groups. Patients in group B2 served as controls who take calcium-channel antagonist and/or beta-blocker and/or vasodilator but not Benazepril. The target blood pressure is 125/75 mm Hg or less in all groups. All patients were followed for two years. Doubling of the baseline Scr level or end-stage renal disease with the need for dialysis was regarded as the major end point of the trial. RESULTS: (1) The magnitude of mean arterial pressure reduction was comparable in group A [(12.90 +/- 3.21) mm Hg], group B1 [(13.36 +/- 4.27) mm Hg] and group B2 [(10.38 +/- 3.85) mm Hg]. There was no significant change among them (P > 0.05 in all). (2) The magnitude of urinary protein reduction (Delta) in group A [(0.52 +/- 0.29) g/24 h], group B1 [(0.50 +/- 0.26) g/24 h] were much higher than that in group B2 [(0.19 +/- 0.13) g/24 h] (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between group A and B1 (P = 0.94). (3) By the end of two years, the percentages of cases reaching the major end point in group A, group B1 and group B2 were 19.23%, 40.90% and 51.35% respectively. There was significant difference among the three groups (chi(2) = 12.14, upsilon = 2, P = 0.002). (4) After two years of treatment, the left ventricular mass indexes and the percentages of left ventricular hypertrophy in group A, group B1 and group B2 were all decreased significantly. There were no statistical differences among the three groups. (5) The incidence of ACEI related adverse reactions, such as rapid increase of Scr more than 30%, dry cough or hyperkalemia were not different among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Benazepril slows the progression of CKD in patients with Scr higher than 266 micromol/L, it is safe in these patients.