The ∆Pv-aCO2/∆Ca-vO2 ratio as a predictor of mortality in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome related to COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference combined with arterial-to-venous oxygen content difference (∆Pv-aCO2/∆Ca-vO2 ratio) as a predictor of mortality in patients with COVID-19-related severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: Patients admitted to the intensive care unit with severe ARDS secondary to SARS-CoV-2, and invasive mechanical ventilation were included in this single-center and retrospective cohort study performed between April 18, 2020, and January 18, 2022. The tissue perfusion indexes (lactate, central venous oxygen saturation [ScvO2], and venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide pressure difference [∆Pv-aCO2]), anaerobic metabolism index (∆Pv-aCO2/∆Ca-vO2 ratio), and severity index (Simplified Acute Physiology Score II [SAPSII]) were evaluated to determine its association with the mortality through Cox regression analysis, Kaplan-Meier curve and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: One hundred fifteen patients were included in the study and classified into two groups, the survivor group (n = 54) and the non-survivor group (n = 61). The lactate, ScvO2, ∆Pv-aCO2, and ∆Pv-aCO2/∆Ca-vO2 ratio medians were 1.6 mEq/L, 75%, 5 mmHg, and 1.56 mmHg/mL, respectively. The ∆Pv-aCO2/∆Ca-vO2 ratio (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-1.29, p = 0.001) was identified as a mortality biomarker for patients with COVID-19-related severe ARDS. The area under the curve for ∆Pv-aCO2/∆Ca-vO2 ratio was 0.691 (95% CI 0.598-0.774, p = 0.0001). The best cut-off point for ∆Pv-aCO2/∆Ca-vO2 ratio was >2.14 mmHg/mL, with a sensitivity of 49.18%, specificity of 85.19%, a positive likelihood of 3.32, and a negative likelihood of 0.6. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that survival rates were significantly worse in patients with values greater than this cut-off point. CONCLUSIONS: The ∆Pv-aCO2/∆Ca-vO2 ratio could be used as a predictor of mortality in patients with severe ARDS secondary to SARS-CoV-2.

New-onset microscopic polyangiitis temporally associated with severe COVID-19 infection: A case report.

The coronavirus disease 2019 has been demonstrated to be a trigger for multiple immune-mediated diseases, such as antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. Associated vasculitis consists of rare autoimmune disorders that predominantly affect small vessels, leading to endothelial injury and tissue damage. We present a case of a newly diagnosed microscopic polyangiitis temporally associated with coronavirus disease 2019 infection in a previously healthy woman and a literature review. A 66-year-old female presented to the Emergency Room with fever, edema on her legs, productive cough, dyspnea, and hemoptysis. A chest computerized tomography scan revealed bilateral diffuse alveolar opacities with the appearance of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Blood analysis revealed a moderate normocytic, normochromic anemia with a hemoglobin of 6.6 g/dL, platelet count of 347 k/dL, leucocytes of 12,000/dL, a creatinine of 3.91 mg/dL (basal Cr: 0.9 mg/dL), and a Blood Urine Nnitrogen of 78 mg/dL. A urine sediment demonstrated glomerular hematuria, with mixed shapes of red blood cells. She was admitted to the intensive care unit and a bedside bronchoscopy revealed progressive bleeding with a bronchioalveolar lavage positive for diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Given the critical involvement of the lungs and kidney function, the diagnostic approach revealed a positive p-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody on immunofluorescence and an anti-MPO (myeloperoxidase) level of 124.6 IU/mL. A renal biopsy demonstrated pauciimmune focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. A diagnosis of microscopic polyangiitis triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection was made, and immediate treatment with pulse-dose steroids and cyclophosphamide was initiated. The patient needed renal replacement therapy and was discharged for follow-up with nephrology and rheumatology services. The diagnostic approach of associated vasculitis can be more challenging in the coronavirus disease era. Atypical features in the pulmonary imaging and a rapid deterioration of the renal function should arise the clinical suspicion of the presence of an added condition to the coronavirus disease infection. Autoimmune conditions such as associated vasculitis should be evaluated even in the absence of previous autoimmune history. Prompt diagnosis and treatments must be prioritized to avoid end-organ definite damage. Further, larger and more collaborative studies are needed to confirm the potential role of coronavirus disease 2019 as a trigger of associated vasculitis.

Hemodynamic and respiratory support in pulmonary embolism: a narrative review.

Pulmonary embolism is a common and potentially fatal disease, with a significant burden on health and survival. Right ventricular dysfunction and hemodynamic instability are considered two key determinants of mortality in pulmonary embolism, which can reach up to 65% in severe cases. Therefore, timely diagnosis and management are of paramount importance to ensure the best quality of care. However, hemodynamic and respiratory support, both major constituents of management in pulmonary embolism, associated with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest, have been given little attention in recent years, in favor of other novel advances such as systemic thrombolysis or direct oral anticoagulants. Moreover, it has been implied that current recommendations regarding this supportive care lack enough robustness, further complicating the problem. In this review, we critically discuss and summarize the current literature concerning the hemodynamic and respiratory support in pulmonary embolism, including fluid therapy, diuretics, pharmacological support with vasopressors, inotropes and vasodilators, oxygen therapy and ventilation, and mechanical circulatory support with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and right ventricular assist devices, while also providing some insights into contemporary research gaps.

A case report of atypical preeclampsia with severity criteria for hydatidiform complete mole.

Preeclampsia is defined as elevation of blood pressure and any of the following severity criteria: proteinuria, thrombocytopenia, elevation of creatinine in the absence of another renal pathology, elevation of transaminases, pulmonary edema, or neurological symptoms. However, after 20 weeks of gestation in a previously normotensive patient, cases of preeclampsia associated with molar pregnancy have been described in patients at less than 20 weeks of gestation. A 26-year-old woman, at 14.1 weeks of gestation was admitted to the lower extremities with facial edema, holocranial headache, nausea, epigastralgia, phosphenes, and photophobia, with a double-length uterine fundus for gestational age and ultrasonography. Obstetricians who showed images of snowflakes without fetuses and annexes had multiple thecal-lutein cysts. Atypical preeclampsia was identified using the severity data for complete hydatidiform moles. Given the possibility of serious complications that may endanger the life of the maternal-fetal binomial, atypical forms of preeclampsia should be suspected.

Simplified acute physiology score II and Mannheim peritonitis index are associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with abdominal sepsis admitted to ICU.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the association and interaction of laboratory parameters, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPSII), Modified Shock Index (MSI), and Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI) with in-hospital mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center case-control study. Adult patients with abdominal sepsis were included from May 2015 to May 2020. Baseline characteristics, laboratory parameters, SAPSII, MSI, and MPI scores at admission were collected. A principal component (PC) analysis was applied to evaluate variable interactions. In-hospital mortality risk was determined through logistic regression models. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients were identified, 60 of which were included for analyses. Non-survivors (48.4%) had a higher frequency of hypertension, lactate and MPI, and lower BE and alactic BE levels. Eight PCs were obtained, PC1 being a linear combination of pH, AG, cAG, alactic BE, bicarbonate, and BE. MPI (OR = 9.87, 95% CI: 3.07-36.61, p = 0.0002), SAPSII (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.14, p = 0.01), and PC1 (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.12-4.76, p = 0.04) were significantly associated with mortality in univariate analysis, while MPI (OR = 10.1, 95% CI: 3.03-40.06, p = 0.0003) and SAPSII (OR = 1.07, CI95%: 1.01-1.14, p = 0.02) remained significant after adjusting for age and sex. CONCLUSION: MPI and SAPSII were associated with mortality, although the interaction of laboratory parameters was not.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la asociación e interacción de los parámetros de laboratorio, SAPSII, MSI y MPI con la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Nosotros realizamos un estudio de casos y controles de pacientes adultos con sepsis abdominal desde mayo 2015 a mayo 2020. Recolectamos las características basales, parámetros de laboratorio, SAPSII, MSI y MPI al ingreso. Se aplicó un Análisis de Componentes Principales. El riesgo de mortalidad intrahospitalaria se determinó mediante modelos de regresión logística. RESULTADOS: Identificamos 127 pacientes, 60 de los cuales se incluyeron. Los no supervivientes (48,4%) tuvieron mayor frecuencia de HAS, lactato y MPI, y menores niveles de EB y EB aláctico. Se obtuvieron ocho Componentes Principales (PC), siendo PC1 una combinación lineal de pH, AG, cAG, EB aláctico, bicarbonato y EB. MPI (OR = 9.87, IC95%: 3.07-36.61, p = 0.0002), SAPSII (OR = 1.07, IC95%: 1.01-1.14, p = 0.01) y PC1 (OR = 2.13, IC95%: 1.12-4.76, p = 0.04) se asociaron significativamente con la mortalidad en el análisis univariado, mientras que MPI (OR = 10.1, IC95%: 3.03-40.06, p = 0.0003) y SAPSII (OR = 1.07, IC 95%: 1.01-1.14, p = 0.02) permanecieron significativos después del ajuste por edad y sexo. CONCLUSIONES: MPI y SAPSII se asociaron con mortalidad, aunque la interacción de los parámetros de laboratorio no lo hizo.

Algoritmo de Emergencias Médicas de Chiapas para pacientes en estado de choque / Medical emergencies of Chiapas algorithm for patients in shock disease / Algoritmo de Emergências Médicas de Chiapas para pacientes em estado de choque

Resumen El abordaje sobre la mejor estrategia para diagnosticar y manejar pacientes en estado de choque (EC) de forma rápida y eficiente es dinámico, depende de las características propias del paciente, de la tecnología disponible y la evidencia científica siempre en evolución; todo esto lleva a que exista considerable variación en la práctica diaria. El objetivo de esta propuesta es dar a conocer un algoritmo basado en criterios clínicos, optimizando las herramientas disponibles y logrando un proceso diagnóstico sencillo y rápido con el principal objetivo de ser útil para el manejo del paciente.

Abstract The approach on the best strategy to diagnose and manage patients in shock disease (CD) quickly and efficiently is dynamic, it depends on the characteristics of the patient, the available technology, the scientific evidence always in evolution; All of this leads to considerable variation in daily practice. The objective of this proposal is to present an algorithm based on clinical criteria and optimizing the available tools, achieving a simple, fast diagnostic process with the main objective of being useful to the patient.

Resumo A abordagem sobre a melhor estratégia para diagnosticar e manejar pacientes em choque (PC) de forma rápida e eficiente é dinâmica, depende das características do paciente, da tecnologia disponível, das evidências científicas sempre em evolução; tudo isso leva a uma variação considerável na prática diária. O objetivo desta proposta é apresentar um algoritmo baseado em critérios clínicos e otimizando as ferramentas disponíveis, alcançando um processo diagnóstico simples e rápido com o objetivo principal de ser útil para o manejo do paciente.

Awake prone positioning and oxygen therapy in patients with COVID-19: the APRONOX study.

BACKGROUND: The awake prone positioning strategy for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome is a safe, simple and cost-effective technique used to improve hypoxaemia. We aimed to evaluate intubation and mortality risk in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who underwent awake prone positioning during hospitalisation. METHODS: In this retrospective, multicentre observational study conducted between 1 May 2020 and 12 June 2020 in 27 hospitals in Mexico and Ecuador, nonintubated patients with COVID-19 managed with awake prone or awake supine positioning were included to evaluate intubation and mortality risk through logistic regression models; multivariable and centre adjustment, propensity score analyses, and E-values were calculated to limit confounding. RESULTS: 827 nonintubated patients with COVID-19 in the awake prone (n=505) and awake supine (n=322) groups were included for analysis. Fewer patients in the awake prone group required endotracheal intubation (23.6% versus 40.4%) or died (19.8% versus 37.3%). Awake prone positioning was a protective factor for intubation even after multivariable adjustment (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.24-0.52; p<0.0001, E=2.12), which prevailed after propensity score analysis (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.27-0.62; p<0.0001, E=1.86) and mortality (adjusted OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.26-0.55; p<0.0001, E=2.03). The main variables associated with intubation among awake prone patients were increasing age, lower baseline peripheral arterial oxygen saturation/inspiratory oxygen fraction ratio (P aO2 /F IO2 ) and management with a nonrebreather mask. CONCLUSIONS: Awake prone positioning in hospitalised nonintubated patients with COVID-19 is associated with a lower risk of intubation and mortality.

Aplicaciones e implicaciones de la pausa al final de la inspiración en ventilación mecánica / Applications and implications of end-inspiratory pause in mechanical ventilation / Aplicações e implicações da pausa ao final da inspiração na ventilação mecânica

Resumen: El uso de la pausa al final de la inspiración (PFI) en ventilación mecánica data de hace más de 50 años y con mayor impulso en la década de los 70, se le atribuye una mejoría en la presión parcial de oxígeno arterial (PaO2) al incrementar la presión media de la vía aérea (Pma), mayor aclaramiento de la presión parcial de dióxido de carbono arterial (PaCO2) y permite la monitorización de la presión meseta (Pmeseta) en la mecánica ventilatoria; sin embargo, los estudios clínicos sobre su uso son escasos y controversiales. En este artículo se abordan los mecanismos fisiológicos, fisiopatológicos y la evidencia sobre el uso de la PFI en ventilación mecánica (VM).

Abstract: The use of the end inspiratory pause (EIP) in mechanical ventilation has been going on for more than 50 years and with greater momentum in the 1970s, an improvement in the partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) is attributed to the increase mean airway pressure, greater clearance of partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide and allows monitoring of plateau pressure in ventilatory mechanics; However, the Clinical studies on its use are few and controversial. This article addresses the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms and the evidence on the use of EIP in mechanical ventilation.

Resumo: A utilização da pausa ao final da inspiração (PFI) na ventilação mecânica remonta a mais de 50 anos e com maior impulso na década de 70, atribui-se uma melhora na pressão parcial de oxigênio arterial (PaO2) pelo aumento da pressão média das vias aéreas (Pma), uma maior depuração da pressão parcial de dióxido de carbono arterial (PaCO2) e permite a monitorização da pressão de platô (Pplateau) na mecânica ventilatória, porém estudos Os dados clínicos sobre seu uso são escassos e controversos. Este artigo aborda os mecanismos fisiológicos e fisiopatológicos e as evidências sobre o uso do PFI na ventilação mecânica (VM).

Ultrasonido Point-Of-Care (POCUS) durante la reanimación cardiopulmonar para el diagnóstico de causas reversibles de arresto cardiaco / Point-Of-Care ultrasound (POCUS) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the diagnosis of reversible causes of cardiac arrest / Ultrassonografia Point-of-Care (POCUS) durante a reanimação cardiopulmonar para o diagnóstico de causas reversíveis de parada cardíaca

Resumen: La ultrasonografía enfocada al paciente crítico o «ultrasonido Point-Of-Care¼ (POCUS) es una herramienta utilizada en la cabecera del paciente en distintas áreas de la medicina crítica y servicios de emergencias debido a su practicidad y a que provee gran información de forma rápida y no invasiva para realizar diagnósticos y abordajes terapéuticos. El arresto cardiaco (AC) es una situación crítica que requiere una adecuada reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP) y en la que es crucial la identificación de la etiología para realizar una intervención rápida y lograr la resolución de la misma, particularmente en el escenario de una actividad eléctrica sin pulso (AESP) en la que la ecografía cobra vital importancia. La implementación de protocolos de reanimación cardiopulmonar apoyados de un abordaje ultrasonográfico es factible y de gran utilidad para la identificación etiológica del AC y la resolución de causas específicas.

Abstract: Ultrasound focused on the critical patient or «Point-Of-Care ultrasound¼ (POCUS) is a tool used at the patient's bedside in different areas of critical medicine and emergency services due to its practicality as it provides great information quickly and non-invasive for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Cardiac arrest (CA) is a critical situation that requires adequate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and in which the identification of the etiology is crucial to carry out a rapid intervention and achieve its resolution, particularly in the setting of a pulseless electrical activity (AESP) in which ultrasound is of vital importance. The implementation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation protocols supported by an ultrasound approach is feasible and of great utility for the etiological identification of CA and the resolution of specific causes.

Resumo: A ultrassonografia focada em pacientes críticos ou «Point-Of-Care ultra-som¼ (POCUS) é uma ferramenta utilizada à beira do leito do paciente em diferentes áreas da medicina crítica e serviços de emergência devido à sua praticidade e ao fato de fornecer uma grande quantidade de informações rapidamente e não invasivo para abordagens diagnósticas e terapêuticas. A parada cardíaca (PC) é uma situação crítica que requer uma adequada ressuscitação cardiopulmonar (RCP) e na qual a identificação da etiologia é crucial para a rápida intervenção e resolução, particularmente no cenário de uma atividade elétrica sem pulso (AESP) em qual o ultra-som é de vital importância. A implementação de protocolos de ressuscitação cardiopulmonar apoiados por uma abordagem ultrassonográfica é viável e muito útil para a identificação etiológica do RAC e resolução de causas específicas.