ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Findings from February 2020, indicate that the clinical spectrum of COVID-19 can be heterogeneous, probably due to the infectious dose and viral load of SARS-CoV-2 within the first weeks of the outbreak. The aim of this study was to investigate predictors of overall 28-day mortality at the peak of the Italian outbreak. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of all COVID-19 patients admitted to the main hospital of Bergamo, from February 23 to March 14, 2020. RESULTS: Five hundred and eight patients were hospitalized, predominantly male (72.4%), mean age of 66±15 years; 49.2% were older than 70 years. Most of patients presented with severe respiratory failure (median value [IQR] of PaO
Subject(s)
Age Factors , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/pathology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/mortality , Female , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, fatal disease that can only be cured by lung transplantation. Pharmacological agents play a role in preserving lung function and prolonging survival until a suitable donor organ becomes available. However, data on the effects of newer antifibrotic therapies on lung transplantation outcomes in IPF patients are lacking. The nine patients included in this case series were treated with nintedanib 150 mg twice daily for 3-30 (mean 13 ± 9) months before lung transplant surgery. Lung function was relatively preserved during nintedanib therapy, and no acute IPF exacerbations occurred. Transplant surgery was generally uneventful; eight of the nine patients are still alive. There were no extraordinary bleeding complications or issues with postoperative thoracic wound healing or dehiscence. Only one patient experienced bronchial anastomotic stenosis a few months later. In conclusion, nintedanib preserved lung function up to transplantation, was well tolerated, and had no detrimental effects on the short-term outcome of lung transplant.
ABSTRACT
We describe an unprecedented, disastrous complication after bilateral lung transplantation (BLT), a bilateral bronchial dehiscence with a right bronchoesophageal fistula leading to life-threatening septic shock. We also report the successful endoscopic management of this complication by double stenting and stress the efficacy of the multidisciplinary approach to this critical case.
Subject(s)
Bronchial Fistula/therapy , Bronchoscopy , Esophageal Fistula/therapy , Esophagoscopy , Lung Transplantation , Postoperative Complications/therapy , Self Expandable Metallic Stents , Bronchial Fistula/etiology , Esophageal Fistula/etiology , Female , Humans , Young AdultABSTRACT
We hypothesize that hydrocortisone infusion in severe community-acquired pneumonia attenuates systemic inflammation and leads to earlier resolution of pneumonia and a reduction in sepsis-related complications. In a multicenter trial, patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with severe community-acquired pneumonia received protocol-guided antibiotic treatment and were randomly assigned to hydrocortisone infusion or placebo. Hydrocortisone was given as an intravenous 200-mg bolus followed by infusion at a rate of 10 mg/hour for 7 days. Primary end-points of the study were improvement in Pa(O(2)):FI(O(2)) (Pa(O(2)):FI(O(2)) > 300 or >/= 100 increase from study entry) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) score by Study Day 8 and reduction in delayed septic shock. Forty-six patients entered the study. At study entry, the hydrocortisone group had lower Pa(O(2)):FI(O(2)), and higher chest radiograph score and C-reactive protein level. By Study Day 8, treated patients had, compared with control subjects, a significant improvement in Pa(O(2)):FI(O(2)) (p = 0.002) and chest radiograph score (p < 0.0001), and a significant reduction in C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.01), MODS score (p = 0.003), and delayed septic shock (p = 0.001). Hydrocortisone treatment was associated with a significant reduction in length of hospital stay (p = 0.03) and mortality (p = 0.009).