Patient outcomes following transfer between intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transferring critically ill patients between intensive care units (ICU) is often required in the UK, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a paucity of data examining clinical outcomes following transfer of patients with COVID-19 and whether this strategy affects their acute physiology or outcome. We investigated all transfers of critically ill patients with COVID-19 between three different hospital ICUs, between March 2020 and March 2021. We focused on inter-hospital ICU transfers (those patients transferred between ICUs from different hospitals) and compared this cohort with intra-hospital ICU transfers (patients moved between different ICUs within the same hospital). A total of 507 transfers were assessed, of which 137 met the inclusion criteria. Forty-five patients underwent inter-hospital transfers compared with 92 intra-hospital transfers. There was no significant change in median compliance 6 h pre-transfer, immediately post-transfer and 24 h post-transfer in patients who underwent either intra-hospital or inter-hospital transfers. For inter-hospital transfers, there was an initial drop in median PaO2 /FI O2 ratio: from median (IQR [range]) 25.1 (17.8-33.7 [12.1-78.0]) kPa 6 h pre-transfer to 19.5 (14.6-28.9 [9.8-52.0]) kPa immediately post-transfer (p < 0.05). However, this had resolved at 24 h post-transfer: 25.4 (16.2-32.9 [9.4-51.9]) kPa. For intra-hospital transfers, there was no significant change in PaO2 /FI O2 ratio. We also found no meaningful difference in pH; PaCO2 ;, base excess; bicarbonate; or norepinephrine requirements. Our data demonstrate that patients with COVID-19 undergoing mechanical ventilation of the lungs may have short-term physiological deterioration when transferred between nearby hospitals but this resolves within 24 h. This finding is relevant to the UK critical care strategy in the face of unprecedented demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Direct detection of dystrophin gene rearrangements by analysis of dystrophin mRNA in peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Using 10 overlapping nested sets of primers and using peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) total RNA as template, we have developed a system, based on PCR, which allows the rapid production of double-stranded cDNA corresponding to the entire coding sequence of the dystrophin gene. The product can be visualized on native minigels by ethidium staining and directly sequenced after gel purification. We have used this system to analyze the structures of PBL dystrophin mRNA in 26 Duchenne, Becker, or intermediate muscular dystrophy patients who have gross rearrangements of the dystrophin gene. In each case, the effect that the genomic rearrangement has on the structure of the transcript--and, by inference, on the dystrophin protein--has been determined, and the results confirm the frameshift hypothesis. The study also identifies a series of alternatively spliced transcripts which are specific to the rearranged genotypes and which seem therefore to arise following the alteration in the context of the splice signal. The system has been used for unambiguous identification of carrier females. Furthermore, the rapid production of microgram quantities of dystrophin cDNA from a readily accessible tissue makes point-mutation screening a practical proposition.

Direct diagnosis of carriers of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy by amplification of lymphocyte RNA.

Rapid detection of deletion and duplication mutations that cause Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy was achieved in patients and carriers after amplification of small amounts of mRNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes. The entire coding region of the dystrophin mRNA was amplified in 10 sections by reverse transcription and nested polymerase chain reaction, and the products were directly visualised on acrylamide minigels with ethidium staining. Major structural gene mutations were identified by the appearance of a band of different size to that of the wild type. The altered band was readily detected in all patients and heterozygous relatives. This non-radioactive test of venous blood samples can be used for unambiguous and rapid identification of virtually all carriers of deletions or insertions within the dystrophin gene.