Comparison between original SARS-CoV-2 strain and omicron variant on thin-section chest CT imaging of COVID-19 pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated different computed tomography (CT) features between Omicron-variant and original-strain SARS-CoV­2 pneumonia to facilitate the clinical management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to select patients with original-strain SARS-CoV­2 pneumonia from February 22 to April 22, 2020, or Omicron-variant SARS-CoV­2 pneumonia from March 26 to May 31, 2022. Data on the demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, clinical types, and CT features were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 62 and 78 patients with original-strain or Omicron-variant SARS-CoV­2 pneumonia, respectively. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of age, sex, clinical types, symptoms, and comorbidities. The main CT features differed between the two groups (p = 0.003). There were 37 (59.7%) and 20 (25.6%) patients with ground-glass opacities (GGO) in the original-strain and Omicron-variant pneumonia, respectively. A consolidation pattern was more frequently observed in the Omicron-variant than original-strain pneumonia (62.8% vs. 24.2%). There was no difference in crazy-paving pattern between the original-strain and Omicron-variant pneumonia (16.1% vs. 11.6%). Pleural effusion was observed more often in Omicron-variant pneumonia, while subpleural lesions were more common in the original-strain pneumonia. The CT score in the Omicron-variant group was higher than that in the original-strain group for critical-type (17.00, 16.00-18.00 vs. 16.00, 14.00-17.00, p = 0.031) and for severe-type (13.00, 12.00-14.00 vs 12.00, 10.75-13.00, p = 0.027) pneumonia. CONCLUSION: The main CT finding of the Omicron-variant SARS-CoV­2 pneumonia included consolidations and pleural effusion. By contrast, CT findings of original-strain SARS-CoV­2 pneumonia showed frequent GGO and subpleural lesions, but without pleural effusion. The CT scores were also higher in the critical and severe types of Omicron-variant than original-strain pneumonia.

Discussion on a new model of holistic treatment for chronic critical illness patients by internal cross-disciplinary team in the department of intensive care unit: clinical data analysis of a case of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To explore the effect of setting up an internal-cross disciplinary team (ICDT) in the intensive care unit (ICU) on a new model of overall treatment for patients with chronic critical illness (CCI).Methods:A 60-year-old male patient with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) admitted to ICU in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University was introduced. The role of ICDT composed of physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, physiotherapists, clinical dietitians and patients' family members in ventilator withdrawal and super-early rehabilitation was analyzed in this case.Results:The patient was diagnosed as AECOPD, type Ⅱ aspiration penumonia respiratory failure, septic shock. The ICDT in ICU carried out early rehabilitation treatment for the patient on the basis of traditional infection control and supportive treatment. Under the care of the ICDT, peripheral blood white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), procalcitonin (PCT), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), right excursion of diaphragm, sputum viscosity, tidal volume (VT) and respiratory rate (RR) were improved. Subsequently, the ventilator mode was gradually changed and the ventilator parameters were down-regulated. The ventilator was successfully weaned on the 10th day of treatment. After weaning, the patient's bedside pulmonary function indicators improved, and he was transferred out of ICU on the 15th day of treatment and discharged on the 20th day. The mental state of the patients was good and the quality of life was greatly improved in CCI outpatient follow-up. Conclusions:ICDT cooperation is very important for monitoring and treatment of CCI patients, which is beneficial to the super-early rehabilitation and prognosis improvement of critically ill patients.

Children with parainfluenza pneumonia complicated with rhabdomyolysis syndrome and acute kidney injury: a case report and literature review / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of children with parainfluenza pneumonia complicated with rhabdomyolysis syndrome and acute kidney injury (AKI).Methods:The clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging examination results and diagnosis and treatment process of a child with parainfluenza pneumonia complicated with rhabdomyolysis syndrome and AKI admitted to the department of intensive medicine of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University on July 14th, 2014 were retrospectively analyzed to provide experience and methods for the treatment of such patients.Results:The patient, a Chinese 11-year-old boy, admitted to hospital with "sore throat, fever, and double lower limb pain for 2 days". The clinical manifestations were sore throat, fever, pain in both lower extremities, fatigue, and soy sauce urine. Limb muscle tenderness, bilateral lower limb was obvious. Laboratory examination showed that blood creatine kinase (CK), MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) and hematuria myoglobin (Mb) were significantly elevated, and blood parainfluenza viruses (1, 2, 3 types) was positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Chest X-ray shown bronchial pneumonia in the right lower lung. Pneumonia with rhabdomyolysis syndrome was considered. Anti-infection, fluid hydration, alkalized urine, diuresis and other treatment was initially prescribed. However, the condition became worse, combined with secondary epilepsy, AKI, acute heart failure, transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). The child was put on mechanical ventilation through oral tracheal intubation, continuous hemofiltration, anti-infection and anti-virus treatment. The child's condition gradually recovered, symptoms and signs disappeared, and finally he was discharged with full recovery.Conclusions:Children with parainfluenza pneumonia can induce rhabdomyolysis. If myalgia is progressively worsened and walking is difficult, we should be highly alert to the occurrence of rhabdomyolysis. And when soy sauce urine, hematuria were noticed, and blood CK, Mb increased significantly, rhabdomyolysis syndrome can be diagnosed. Once the diagnosis is established, rehydration, alkaline urine and diuresis should be carried out in a timely manner to increase myoglobin tubular excretion. Antiviral treatment can reduce the dissolution of striated muscles. If blood purification is needed, hemofiltration and/or plasma exchange can be selected.

The ICU Is Becoming a Main Battlefield for Severe Maternal Rescue in China: An 8-Year Single-Center Clinical Experience.

OBJECTIVES: To review the characteristics of and to identify the reasons for severe maternal admissions to the ICU. DESIGN: This was an analytical, observational, open, and retrospective study. SETTING: In our ICU. PATIENTS: A total of 487 severe maternal cases were reviewed during the 8-year study period of January 2009 to December 2016. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 487 severe maternal cases (12.6%) among the 3,867 patients admitted to ICU were reviewed. Of these, 361 patients were admitted for obstetric reasons, mainly pregnancy-induced hypertension (58.7%) and postpartum hemorrhage (36.8%). The remaining 126 patients were admitted for nonobstetric reasons, including cardiac-related disease (31.0%), immune-related disease (24.6%), and sepsis (20.6%). A total of 249 patients experienced combined comorbidities: the most common was a scarred uterus (100 patients; 40.2%), followed by endocrine-related disease (25.3%), immune-related disease (21.3%), and cardiac-related disease (18.1%). Central venous insertion (90.6%) was the most common intervention, followed by arterial catheter insertion (33.7%), mechanical ventilation (11.7%), blood purification (5.7%), and invasive hemodynamic monitoring (3.7%). Nine patients died during the study period, of which the death of four could have been avoided. CONCLUSIONS: The number of severe maternal cases has increased annually in our ICU. Although obstetric causes remained the most common reason for admission, the nonobstetric causes and basic complications were too complex, dangerous, and beyond the reach of the obstetrician with regard to monitoring and treatment. We call for a multidisciplinary team mainly composed of ICU staff to improve severe maternal outcomes.

Effect of early normobaric hyperoxia on cerebral oxygenation in patients with extremely severe craniocerebral injury / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To observe the changes of brain oxygenation in patients with extremely severe craniocerebral injury and the therapeutic effect of early normobaric hyperoxia.Methods Sixtyeight patients with extremely severe craniocerebral injury treated from January 2011 to January 2013 were assigned to two groups according to the random number table:50％ oxygen breathing for one week in control group (34 cases) and 80％ oxygen breathing for one week in treatment group (34 cases).Blood samples from jugular vein and radial artery were collected at 1,3,5,and 7 days to measure indices of blood gas analysis,i.e.,PaO2,PjvO2,CaO2,CjvO2,Da-jvO2,CERO2 and Djv-a Lac.GCS and content of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were recorded as well.Results Values of PaO2 at each time point and GCS at 5 and 7 days were significantly higher in treatment group than in control group (P ＜0.05).Djv-a Lac at 3,5 and 7 days and NSE at 7 days revealed significantly higher levels in treatment group than in control group(P ＜ 0.05).Whereas at each time point,there were no significant differences between the two groups in aspects of PjvO2,CaO2,CjvO2,Da-jvO2 and CERO2 (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Early use of 100％ oxygen in patients with extremely severe craniocerebral injury may be beneficial to the prognosis.