ROX index as predictor of high flow nasal cannula therapy success in acute respiratory failure due to SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND: High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) therapy is useful treatment in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). The ROX index (ratio of pulse oximetry/fraction of inspired oxygen to respiratory rate) has been evaluated to predict success of HFNC in patients with pneumonia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether the ROX Index could predict HFNC therapy success in patients with ARF due to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. METHODS: An observational, prospective study was performed including patients admitted with ARF secondary to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia who met criteria for HFNC therapy initiation. Demographic, radiological, laboratory and clinical course data were collected. The ROX index was calculated at 1 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after starting HFNC. RESULTS: In total 85 patients were included (age, 64.51 + 11.78 years; male, 69.4%). HFNC failed in 47 (55.3%) patients, of whom 45 (97.8%) were initially managed with noninvasive ventilation (NIV). ROX index at 24 h was the best predictor of HFNC success (AUC 0.826, 95%CI 0.593-1.00, p = 0.015) with a cut-off point of 5.35 (S 0.91, Sp 0.79, PPV 0.92, NPP 0.79). In multivariate logistic regression analysis ROX index at 24 h proved the best predictor of HFNC success. CONCLUSIONS: ROX index at 24 h with a cut-off point of 5.35 predicts HFNC success in patients with SARS-Cov-2-induced ARF.

Carcinoma sarcomatoide de la glándula tiroides: a propósito de un caso / Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the thyroid gland: a purpose of a case

El carcinoma sarcomatoide de la glándula tiroides es un tumor raro, de curso rápidamente fatal y que no responde en forma favorable a ningún tratamiento conocido. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 64 años de edad quien consultó por disnea, disfagia y disfonía progresiva, con aumento de volumen en cuello de 4 meses de evolución posterior a tiroidectomía total por tumor tiroideo cuya biopsia reportó: leiomioma de tiroides. La revisión de las láminas histológicas del espécimen quirúrgico reportó carcinoma sarcomatoide. Se realizó radiología y tomografía de cuello y tórax, fibrobroncoscopia, gammagrafía tiroidea, endoscopia digestiva superior, ecografía abdominal y biopsia por trucut. Después de considerar al tumor como irresecable se inició tratamiento con radioterapia, sin obtener una respuesta favorable. La paciente falleció a los 38 días posterior a su ingreso