Comparison between high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) alternated with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and HFNO and NIV alone in patients with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive respiratory support (conventional oxygen therapy [COT], non-invasive ventilation [NIV], high-flow nasal oxygen [HFNO], and NIV alternated with HFNO [NIV + HFNO] may reduce the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in patients with COVID-19. The outcome of patients treated non-invasively depends on clinical severity at admission. We assessed the need for IMV according to NIV, HFNO, and NIV + HFNO in patients with COVID-19 according to disease severity and evaluated in-hospital survival rates and hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) lengths of stay. METHODS: This cohort study was conducted using data collected between March 2020 and July 2021. Patients ≥ 18 years admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were included. Patients hospitalized for < 3 days, receiving therapy (COT, NIV, HFNO, or NIV + HFNO) for < 48 h, pregnant, and with no primary outcome data were excluded. The COT group was used as reference for multivariate Cox regression model adjustment. RESULTS: Of 1371 patients screened, 958 were eligible: 692 (72.2%) on COT, 92 (9.6%) on NIV, 31 (3.2%) on HFNO, and 143 (14.9%) on NIV + HFNO. The results for the patients in each group were as follows: median age (interquartile range): NIV (64 [49-79] years), HFNO (62 [55-70] years), NIV + HFNO (62 [48-72] years) (p = 0.615); heart failure: NIV (54.5%), HFNO (36.3%), NIV + HFNO (9%) (p = 0.003); diabetes mellitus: HFNO (17.6%), NIV + HFNO (44.7%) (p = 0.048). > 50% lung damage on chest computed tomography (CT): NIV (13.3%), HFNO (15%), NIV + HFNO (71.6%) (p = 0.038); SpO2/FiO2: NIV (271 [118-365] mmHg), HFNO (317 [254-420] mmHg), NIV + HFNO (229 [102-317] mmHg) (p = 0.001); rate of IMV: NIV (26.1%, p = 0.002), HFNO (22.6%, p = 0.023), NIV + HFNO (46.8%); survival rate: HFNO (83.9%), NIV + HFNO (63.6%) (p = 0.027); ICU length of stay: NIV (8.5 [5-14] days), NIV + HFNO (15 [10-25] days (p < 0.001); hospital length of stay: NIV (13 [10-21] days), NIV + HFNO (20 [15-30] days) (p < 0.001). After adjusting for comorbidities, chest CT score and SpO2/FiO2, the risk of IMV in patients on NIV + HFNO remained high (hazard ratio, 1.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-3.04). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COVID-19, NIV alternating with HFNO was associated with a higher rate of IMV independent of the presence of comorbidities, chest CT score and SpO2/FiO2. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05579080.

Testosterone Therapy and Diaphragm Performance in a Male Patient with COVID-19: A Case Report.

Low levels of testosterone may lead to reduced diaphragm excursion and inspiratory time during COVID-19 infection. We report the case of a 38-year-old man with a positive result on a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2, admitted to the intensive care unit with acute respiratory failure. After several days on mechanical ventilation and use of rescue therapies, during the weaning phase, the patient presented dyspnea associated with low diaphragm performance (diaphragm thickness fraction, amplitude, and the excursion-time index during inspiration were 37%, 1.7 cm, and 2.6 cm/s, respectively) by ultrasonography and reduced testosterone levels (total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were 9.3 ng/dL, 5.8 ng/dL, and 10.5 nmol/L, respectively). Testosterone was administered three times 2 weeks apart (testosterone undecanoate 1000 mg/4 mL intramuscularly). Diaphragm performance improved significantly (diaphragm thickness fraction, amplitude, and the excursion-time index during inspiration were 70%, 2.4 cm, and 3.0 cm/s, respectively) 45 and 75 days after the first dose of testosterone. No adverse events were observed, although monitoring was required after testosterone administration. Testosterone replacement therapy led to good diaphragm performance in a male patient with COVID-19. This should be interpreted with caution due to the exploratory nature of the study.

Iso-Oncotic Albumin Mitigates Brain and Kidney Injury in Experimental Focal Ischemic Stroke.

Background: There is widespread debate regarding the use of albumin in ischemic stroke. We tested the hypothesis that an iso-oncotic solution of albumin (5%), administered earlier after acute ischemic stroke (3 h), could provide neuroprotection without causing kidney damage, compared to a hyper-oncotic albumin (20%) and saline. Objective: To compare the effects of saline, iso-oncotic albumin, and hyper-oncotic albumin, all titrated to similar hemodynamic targets, on the brain and kidney. Methods: Ischemic stroke was induced in anesthetized male Wistar rats (n = 30; weight 437 ± 68 g) by thermocoagulation of pial blood vessels of the primary somatosensory, motor, and sensorimotor cortices. After 3 h, animals were anesthetized and randomly assigned (n = 8) to receive 0.9% NaCl (Saline), iso-oncotic albumin (5% ALB), and hyper-oncotic albumin (20% ALB), aiming to maintain hemodynamic stability (defined as distensibility index of inferior vena cava <25%, mean arterial pressure >80 mmHg). Rats were then ventilated using protective strategies for 2 h. Of these 30 animals, 6 were used as controls (focal ischemic stroke/no fluid). Results: The total fluid volume infused was higher in the Saline group than in the 5% ALB and 20% ALB groups (mean ± SD, 4.3 ± 1.6 vs. 2.7 ± 0.6 and 2.6 ± 0.5 mL, p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively). The total albumin volume infused (g/kg) was higher in the 20% ALB group than in the 5% ALB group (1.4 ± 0.6 vs. 0.4 ± 0.2, p < 0.001). Saline increased neurodegeneration (Fluoro-Jade C staining), brain inflammation in the penumbra (higher tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression), and blood-brain barrier damage (lower gene expressions of claudin-1 and zona occludens-1) compared to both iso-oncotic and hyper-oncotic albumins, whereas it reduced the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (a marker of neuroregeneration) compared only to iso-oncotic albumin. In the kidney, hyper-oncotic albumin led to greater damage as well as higher gene expressions of kidney injury molecule-1 and interleukin-6 than 5% ALB (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this model of focal ischemic stroke, only iso-oncotic albumin had a protective effect against brain and kidney damage. Fluid therapy thus requires careful analysis of impact not only on the brain but also on the kidney.

Correlação entre marcadores de injúria miocárdica, disfunção ventricular e mortalidade na sepsis / The correlation between markers for myocardial injury, ventricular dysfunction and mortality in sepsis

Introdução: O choque séptico é a principal causa de morte nas unidades de terapia intensiva, sendo a depressão miocárdica um importante fator causal nesse desfecho. Objetivo: Avaliar a função ventricular e o tipo de alteração contrátil (regional ou difusa) presentes em pacientes na fase aguda da sepsis e sua correlação com marcadores de injúrias miocárdica e mortalidade. Método: Foram estudados prospectiva e, consecutivamente, 45 pacientes sépticos, admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva no período de 24 meses. Foi realizado um ecocardiograma transtorácico (ETT) na fase aguda da sepsis, junto com ecocardiograma (ECG) e dosagem sérica troponina I (TNI). Em um segundo momento, foram analisadas a frequência e a correlação das alterações funcionais ao ecocardiograma, da elevação da TNI e a taxa de mortalidade dos pacientes. O ETT foi repetido nos pacientes que sobreviveram após a resolução do quadro séptico. Resultados: Dos 45 pacientes estudados, o ECG mostrou alterações isquêmicas em 40% e o ecocardiograma apresentou alteração regional ou difusa em 44% dos pacientes estudados. A TNI esteve elevada em 53% dos pacientes, dos quais 77% apresentavam disfunção ventricular esquerda (DVE) na fase aguda da sepsis. O ETT evolutivo foi realizado em 24 pacientes (53%%), mostrando melhora parcial...

Cortisol levels in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate cortisol levels and prevalence of adrenal insufficiency in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort study in a 24-bed medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU). PATIENTS: Forty patients with severe CAP admitted to the ICU from March 2003 and May 2005. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Random cortisol levels were measured up to 72 h after ICU admission. A threshold of 20 microg/dl was considered for the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency. Median cortisol levels were 15.5 microg/dl (IQR 10.8-25.1), and 26 patients (65%) met the criteria for adrenal insufficiency. Other cutoff levels of cortisol were evaluated, and 30 patients (75%) had cortisol levels below 25 microg/dl and 19 (47.5%) had cortisol levels below 15 microg/dl. When only patients with septic shock (n=19) were evaluated, 12 (63%) had adrenal insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Relative adrenal insufficiency occurs in a high proportion of patients with severe CAP. This finding highlights the importance of measuring cortisol levels and may help explain the potential benefits of hydrocortisone infusion in these patients.

Sepsis: a follow-up of cytokine production in different phases of septic patients.

Sepsis and its sequelae are still a major cause of morbidity and mortality on today's intensive care units. The evidence that primary responses in sepsis are mediated by cytokines has led to various approaches to evaluate the potential of these mediators as markers of disease progression, prognosis or treatment. This study evaluated variations of plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and nitric oxide (NO) in different phases of sepsis and compared the relation of these data with disease evaluation and outcome. No difference in interleukin production in different phases of septic patients or between septic and polytrauma group was found. The only parameter that showed correlation with disease severity was the increase in interleukin-6 in final phase of sepsis, which corresponds to septic shock. No significant difference in plasma cytokine levels was found between survival or non-survival septic or polytraumatic patients and the use of carbapenem and cephalosporin. Taken together, the data indicate that, with the exception of interleukin-6, cytokine determination does not serve as marker of infectious disease nor can it be used to predict the prognosis of sepsis.

Trombectomia da veia cava inferior sem laparotomia / Thrombectomy of inferior vein cave without laparotomy

Paciente masculino de 21 anos, portador de trmbose venosa cavo-ílio-fêmoro-distal, foi tratado por trombectomia associada à fístula artério-venosa terapêutica temporária. A trombectomia caval foi realizada por via endovascular. A migração dos trombos foi impedida pelo posicionamento de dois balões oclusores, na cava proximal ao trombo e na ilíaca comum direita. Os trombos proximais foram removidos por cateteres balão e os distais por compressão retrógrada. Estenose residual da veia ilíaca comum esquerda, por compressão pela artéria ilíaca comum direita, foi evidenciada em flebografia de controle e tratada pelo implante de stent auto-expansível.A evolução foi satisfatória. Após sete semanas de anticoagulação, a fístula foi fechada por técnica endovascular, através de implante íntra-arterial de endoprótese. As veias desobstruídas estão totalmente pérvias...

Imunoglobulinas policlonais enriquecidas com IgM modificam a evoluçäo de pacientes com sepse por pneumonia? / Polyclonal immunoglobulin enriched with IgM change the evolution of patients with pneumonia sepsis?

Objetivo: Avaliar a eficiência terapêutica do uso de imunoglobulinas policlonais enriquecidas com IgM (Pentaglobin, Biotest) no tratamento de sepse por pneumonia bacteriana. Tipo de estudo: Ensaio clínico prospectivo, randomizado, controlado. Local: CTI do Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho do Rio de Janeiro - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Meta final: mortalidade. Análise estatística: Foi utilizado teste t-Student para comparaçäo de média, teste exato de Fisher para avaliar associaçäo entre grupo e análise de variância para medidas repetidas. O nível de significância usado foi de 5 por cento. Principais resultados: vinte pacientes com pneumonia e sepse foram aleatoriamente randomizados entre dois grupos de acordo com critérios de sepse e pneumonia (grupo imunoglobulina e grupo-controle). Näo houve diferença estatística entre ambos os grupos em relaçäo ao sexo, idade p = 0,14, escore APACHE II (p = 0,17), mas houve diferença estatística em relaçäo ao escore APACHE II no grupo imunoglobulina (p = 0,08). Na relaçäo PaO2/fiO2 notou-se que no 3§ dia houve melhora no GI (p<0,05), porém näo apresentou diferença estatística comparando os dois grupos (p = 0,17). Näo houve óbitos no GI (0/10,0 por cento), mas houve cinco óbitos no GC (5/10,50 por cento; p = 0,016). A mortalidade no 14§ dia foi de 40 por cento no Grupo-controle (4/10) e 0 por cento no Grupo Imunoglobulina (0/10; p = 0,08). Conclusöes: O uso adjuvante de Imunoglobulina Policlonal enriquecida com IgM no tratamento de sepse por pneumonia e com insuficiência respiratória associou-se com reduçäo de mortalidade. Estes resultados preliminares devem ser confirmados com ensaios clínico, duplo-cego, placebo, controlado e randomizado futuramente. Efeitos adversos com a administraçäo de imunoglobulina (Pentaglobin) näo foram encontrados.

Síndrome de Guillain-Barré: evoluçäo do tratamento intensivo de 26 pacientes no período de 1984 a 1995 / Guillain-Barré syndrome: evolution of intensive care treament of 26 patients from 1984 to 1995

Objetivo: Avaliar a evolucao do tratamento da Sindrome de Guillain-BarT (SGB) em pacientes internados em terapia intensiva. Local: Unidade medico-cirurgica do Centro de Tratamento Intensivo do Hospital Universitario Clementino Fraga Filho da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Tipo de Estudo: Coorte de insercao (revisao de prontuarios) de todos os pacientes internados com SGB no periodo de 1984 a 1995. Dados clinicos, o criterio diagnostico, tratamento efetuado e complicacoes foram coletados e analisados. O ponto final do estudo foi a evolutpo hospitalar (altas ou obitos). A analise estatistica: Teste de Fisher exato. Um valor de < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Principais resultados: Foram avaliados 26 pacientes com SGB. Dividindo os pacientes em dois periodos: de 1984 a 1990 (Grupo 1 - 14 pacientes) e de 1991 a 1995 (Grupo 2 - 12 pacientes) observamos que: a) no primeiro perfodo os pacientes apresentaram mais complicacoes cardiovasculares relacionadas a disautonomia - bradicardia, assistolia, hipo e hipertensao (12/14 - 85,7 por cento vs. 5/12 - 41,6 por cento; p =, 0,02); b) no segundo os pacientes utilizaram mais plasmaferese, imunoglobulinas ou liquorferese (11/12 - 91,6 por cento vs. 1/14 - 7,1 por cento; p < 0,001); c) a letalidade no primeiro periodo foi de 11/14 - 78,6 por cento; jß no segundo periodo npo foram observados =bitos (p < 0,001); d) o tipo de assistencia ventilatoria empregada foi diferente - no primeiro perfodo utilizaram-se protese cicladas a pressao e a volume (14/14 - 100 por cento) enquanto que no segundo periodo a maioria fez uso de proteses microprocessadas (9/11 - 81,8 por cento) - p < 0,01; e) a incidencia de sepse, choque septico, hiperglicemia, pneumotorax, atelectasia e sindrome do desconforto respiratorio agudo foram similares nos dois periodos. Conclusoes: O tratamento da SGB com medidas imunomodulatorias e utilizando-se assistencia ventilatoria atraves de respiradores microprocessados sao extremamente eficazes, diminuindo as complicacoes cardiovasculares da disautonomia e a letalidade.

Linfoma näo-Hodgkin causando choque: caso clínico / Lymphoma non-Hodgkin causing shock: clinical case

E descrito um caso de linfoma äao-Hodgkin. Compressäo mediastinal e restriçäo do retorno venoso conseqüente do linfoma causando insuficiencia respiratória e choque. Diagnóstico diferencial entre linfoma intratoráxico, drogas vasoativas e receptores adrenérgicos säo discutidos, incluido o "novo" receptor beta-3 adrenérgico.

Vasculite necrosante de pequenos vasos / Small vessels necrotizing vasculitis

As dificuldade diagnósticas de um caso de vasculite necrosante de pequenos vasos sao discutidas, com uma revisao objetiva dos critérios de SARA e da conduta no desmame difícil.