Clinical characteristics of pregnant women with COVID-19 and infection outcomes in one of the largest cities in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy can be a risk factor for the development of more severe COVID-19 with a possible increase in the risk of complications during pregnancy/birth and adverse neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to describe and analyze the clinical and epidemiological aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in women in the perinatal period attended in the city of Belém, northern region of Brazil. METHODS: This is a clinical, observational, analytical, and cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, conducted at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará Foundation (FSCMPA). It included 230 pregnant women hospitalized at FSCMPA with a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR molecular test between April 2020 and June 2022. Clinical and epidemiological information (origin, gestational age, prenatal care, comorbidities, birth complications, and chest tomography) were obtained from medical records, and correlation was made between the types of cases (mild, moderate, and severe) and maternal outcome. The chi-square test and G test were used to assess the possibility of association between variables. RESULTS: Evidence of association was observed between the severity of COVID-19 and the following parameters: gestational age, specific pregnancy comorbidities, baby and maternal death, birth complications, and prematurity. Dyspnea, headache, anosmia, odynophagia, diarrhea, and chest pain were the symptoms most related to disease aggravation. The maternal mortality rate in the study was 8.7%. CONCLUSION: Specific pregnancy-related and pre-existing comorbidities associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection directly contribute to the worsening clinical condition, leading to complications such as prematurity, fetal, and maternal death.

Myosteatosis: an underrecognized risk factor for mortality in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Low muscle mass quantity and quality (myosteatosis) can be evaluated by computed tomography (CT) by measuring skeletal muscle area and muscular attenuation, respectively, at the third lumbar vertebra. We aimed to define cut-off points of skeletal muscle area and muscular attenuation to predict mortality in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including non-dialysis CKD patients over two years, who underwent an opportunistic computed tomography within a two year period, and for whom creatinine was measured within 90 days of CT. Skeletal muscle area was normalized for stature to calculate the skeletal muscle index. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (AuROC) curve and Youden's index were used, to identify the cut-point, separately according to sex. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-seven patients (50.9% male, mean age of 68.3 ± 16.4 years) were included, most with CKD stages 3 and 4. During a median follow-up of 4.9 (4.2) years, 39 (23.4%) patients died. Muscular attenuation showed a better ability to predict mortality (AuROC curve 0.739 [95% CI 0.623-0.855] in women and 0.744 in men [95% CI 0.618-0.869]) than skeletal muscle index (AuROC curve 0.491 [95% CI 0.332-0.651] in women and 0.711 [95% CI 0.571-0.850] in men). For muscular attenuation, the best cut-off values to predict mortality were 27.56 Hounsfield units in women and 24.58 Hounsfield units in men. For skeletal muscle index, the best cut-off values were 38.47 cm2/m2 in women and 47.81 cm2/m2 in men. In univariable Cox-regression both low muscle mass and myosteatosis were associated with increased mortality. In multivariable Cox-regression models only myosteatosis maintained a significant association with mortality (Hazard Ratio 2.651 (95% CI 1.232-5.703, p = 0.013)). CONCLUSIONS: We found sex-specific cut-off values for muscle parameters using CT analysis in non-dialysis CKD patients that were associated with mortality. In this population, myosteatosis may be more closely associated with mortality than muscle quantity.

Influence of peritoneal residual volume on the results of the peritoneal equilibration test. Prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Categorization of the capacity of ultrafiltration during a peritoneal equilibration test (PET) is a usual step during the monitoring of peritoneal transport characteristics of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) patients. Quantifying the peritoneal residual volume (Vr) after the dwell preceding the PET (Vrpre) and at the end of the test (Vrpost) could help to improve the accuracy of the estimation of this variable. METHOD: Following a prospective design, we calculated Vrpre and Vrpost in 116 patients, incident or prevalent on DP, who underwent one or two (n = 27) PET with 3,86/4,25% glucose-based PD solutions and complete drainage at 60 min. We evaluated the consistency of Vr by comparing Vrpre and Vrpost, as also these two parameters in repeated tests. We scrutinized potential associations between demographic and clinical factors, on one side, and the amount of Vr on the other, as also the impact of correcting ultrafiltration during PET for Vr on the categorization of the capacity of ultrafiltration. RESULTS: As a mean, Vrpost was larger than Vrpre. Consequently, correction of ultrafiltration for Vr resulted in significantly higher values than those obtained according to the standard procedure (494 vs. 449 mL, p < 0,0005). We disclosed marked inconsistencies for different estimations of Vr in the same patients (Vrpre vs Vrpost and repeated PET studies). Moreover, no demographic or clinical variable was able to predict the amount of Vr. We observed a significant deviation (>200 mL) between both methods of estimation of the capacity of utrafiltration in only 12,9% of the patients. However, 21,1% of the patients categorized as cases of ultrafiltration failure according to the standard procedure did not maintain this condition after correction for Vr. CONCLUSIONS: Correction for Vr of the capacity of ultrafiltration during a PET carries, as a mean, a minor impact on the categorization of this parameter. However, the results of the test can be significantly affected in 12,9% of the cases. We have been unable to detect demographic or clinical predictors of Vr, which suggests a random component for the mechanics of single peritoneal exchanges. We suggest that Vr should be estimated at the time of categorizing the capacity of ultrafiltration, whenever inconsistencies during serial PET studies are detected.

Therapeutic Plasmapheresis: Seven Year Experience of an Intensive Care Unit in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: Therapeutic plasmapheresis is a therapeutic procedure in which the patient's blood is passed through a medical device which separates out plasma from other components of blood. The plasma is removed and replaced with a replacement solution. Studies on the use of plasmapheresis in critically ill patients are scarce. The aim of this study was to review all therapeutic plasmapheresis sessions carried out in the Hospital Beatriz Ângelo intensive care unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational retrospective study was conducted between April 2012 and March 2019. All patients who underwent therapeutic plasmapheresis in the intensive care unit were included, and plasmapheresis sessions held outside the intensive care unit were excluded. RESULTS: Of 46 patients, 63% were men (n = 29), with a median age of 53 years. The most frequent diagnoses were hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis, vasculitis, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, and atypical haemolytic-uremic syndrome. A total of 198 plasmapheresis sessions were carried out in the intensive care unit. Most of the used replacement solutions were fresh frozen plasma (34.4%), albumin/crystalloid (24.2%), and albumin/fresh frozen plasma (19.2%). The most common complications were hydroelectrolytic changes (84; 42.4%) and coagulation disorders/thrombocytopenia (65; 32.8%). There was no need to interrupt any plasmapheresis session due to complications related to the patient. DISCUSSION: Therapeutic plasmapheresis is an urgent procedure that can reduce morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. This justifies that 37% of patients started the technique before the diagnostic confirmation. The indications for plasmapheresis and the choice of replacement solution were in agreement with the guidelines. Despite the risk of bleeding, no haemorrhagic complications were recorded. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic plasmapheresis is a complex technique that requires specific training. The indications are diverse, and some are not consensual. Complications were frequent, but they did not increase morbidity.

Introdução: A plasmaferese terapêutica é um procedimento em que o sangue passa por um circuito extracorpóreo que separa o plasma dos outros componentes do sangue. O plasma removido é substituído por soluções de reposição. Os estudos sobre a utilização de plasmaferese terapêutica no doente crítico são escassos. O objetivo do estudo foi rever todas as sessões de plasmaferese realizadas no serviço de Medicina Intensiva do Hospital Beatriz Ângelo. Material e Métodos: Estudo observacional retrospetivo de todos os doentes admitidos no serviço de Medicina Intensiva entre abril de 2012 e março de 2019. Foram selecionados os doentes submetidos a plasmaferese e excluídas as sessões realizadas fora do serviço de Medicina Intensiva. Resultados: No período de estudo foram incluídos 46 doentes. A maioria eram homens (n = 29; 63%) com uma idade mediana de 53 anos. Os diagnósticos mais frequentes foram pancreatite secundária a hipertrigliceridemia, vasculite, anemia hemolítica autoimune e síndrome hemolítica urémica atípica. Foram realizadas 198 sessões de plasmaferese no serviço de Medicina Intensiva. As soluções de substituição mais utilizadas foram plasma fresco congelado (34,4%), albumina/cristalóide (24,2%) e albumina/plasma (19,2%). As complicações mais comuns foram alterações hidroeletrolíticas (84; 42,4%), e distúrbios da coagulação/plaquetas (65; 32,8%). Em nenhum dos casos a técnica teve que ser interrompida por complicações relacionadas com o doente. Discussão: A plasmaferese terapêutica é um procedimento urgente capaz de reduzir a morbilidade e mortalidade no doente crítico. Isto justifica que 37% dos doentes tenham iniciado a técnica antes da confirmação diagnóstica. As indicações e soluto de reposição escolhido foram de acordo com as recomendações. Apesar do risco hemorrágico, nenhuma complicação desta natureza foi reportada. Conclusão: A plasmafere terapêutica é uma técnica complexa que requer treino específico. As indicações são diversas e algumas não consensuais. As complicações foram frequentes, mas não condicionaram morbilidade associada.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury in acute ischaemic stroke patients.

PURPOSE: The potential nephrotoxicity of intravenous iodinated contrast media is a major concern for acute ischaemic stroke imaging evaluation. This study aimed to assess the incidence of acute kidney injury after intravenous iodinated contrast media exposure in acute ischaemic stroke patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis between January 2012 and July 2018 to select adult patients admitted to the emergency department with acute ischaemic stroke. The exposed patients received a uniform intravenous dose of low osmolar non-ionic iodinated contrast media, as part of the imaging protocol for acute ischaemic stroke. The unexposed patients underwent a non-enhanced cranial computed tomography scan. Acute kidney injury was defined according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria, limited to the first 72 hours. RESULTS: A total of 161 and 105 patients were included in the exposed and unexposed groups, respectively. The median age was 72.8 years (interquartile range 20), 53% were men and 97% were white. Demographic and baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The incidence of acute kidney injury between exposed (n = 10, 6.2%) and unexposed (n = 1, 1%) groups (P = 0.073) was similar and contrast exposure was not a significant predictor of acute kidney injury. CONCLUSION: Intravenous iodinated contrast media exposure during acute ischaemic stroke imaging protocols is not an independent predictor of acute kidney injury in patients with normal or near-normal renal function. Studies with larger sample sizes would help to clarify if patients with both cardiovascular risk factors and impaired renal function could benefit from prophylactic measures.

Anca negative pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis and mixed connective tissue disease: a case study / Glomerulonefrite crescêntica pauci-imune ANCA-negativa e doença mista do tecido conjuntivo: relato de um caso

Abstract One of the most common causes of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (CrGN). In the majority of cases, this condition has a positive serologic marker, the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), but in approximately 10% there are no circulating ANCAs, and this subgroup has been known as the ANCA-negative pauci-immune CrGN. RPGN can be associated with systemic diseases, but there are only few case reports describing the association with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). The authors report a case of ANCA-negative CrGN associated with a MCTD.

Resumo Uma das causas mais comuns da glomerulonefrite rapidamente progressiva (GNRP) é a glomerulonefrite crescêntica (GNC) pauci-imune. Na maioria dos casos, a patologia apresenta um marcador sorológico positivo, o anticorpo anticitoplasma de neutrófilos (ANCA), mas em cerca de 10% dos pacientes não há ANCAs circulantes, perfazendo um subgrupo da patologia conhecido como GNC pauci-imune ANCA-negativa. A GNRP pode estar associada a doenças sistêmicas, mas são poucos os relatos de caso que descrevem sua associação com doença mista do tecido conjuntivo (DMTC). O presente artigo relata um caso de GNC ANCA-negativa associada a DMTC.

Anca negative pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis and mixed connective tissue disease: a case study.

One of the most common causes of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (CrGN). In the majority of cases, this condition has a positive serologic marker, the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), but in approximately 10% there are no circulating ANCAs, and this subgroup has been known as the ANCA-negative pauci-immune CrGN. RPGN can be associated with systemic diseases, but there are only few case reports describing the association with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). The authors report a case of ANCA-negative CrGN associated with a MCTD.

An atypical presentation of a severe and massive atheroembolic disease / Uma apresentação atípica de doença ateroembólica grave

ABSTRACT Atheroembolic renal disease (AERD) is a kidney manifestation of atherosclerosis as a systemic disease. AERD is defined as a renal impairment secondary to embolization of cholesterol crystals with consequent occlusion of renal vascularization. The current case report describes one patient with multiple risk factors but without any inciting event history who presents a very atypical clinical course of a severe and massive atheroembolic disease that developed spontaneously and silently.

RESUMO A doença renal ateroembólica (DRAE) é uma manifestação renal da aterosclerose enquanto patologia sistêmica. A DRAE é definida como uma disfunção renal secundária à embolização de cristais de colesterol seguida da oclusão da vascularização renal. O presente relato descreve o caso de um paciente com vários fatores de risco, porém sem um evento precipitante, que se apresentou com um curso clínico bastante atípico de doença ateroembólica grave de evolução espontânea e silenciosa.

An atypical presentation of a severe and massive atheroembolic disease.

Atheroembolic renal disease (AERD) is a kidney manifestation of atherosclerosis as a systemic disease. AERD is defined as a renal impairment secondary to embolization of cholesterol crystals with consequent occlusion of renal vascularization. The current case report describes one patient with multiple risk factors but without any inciting event history who presents a very atypical clinical course of a severe and massive atheroembolic disease that developed spontaneously and silently.

Metabolic Acidosis Due To Pyroglutamic Acid.

Metabolic acidosis is a common clinical disturbance due to increased plasma acidity caused by a primary decrease in serum HCO3- concentration. It is classified as normal or high anion gap metabolic acidosis. High anion gap metabolic acidosis can result from either a decrease in unmeasured cations (K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) or an increase in unmeasured anions (PO4 3-, albumin). However, other anions such as lactic acid or keto acids may cause this acid-base disorder. It can also result from renal failure and intoxication (salicylate, methanol, ethylene glycol), or more rarely, from massive rhabdomyolysis and pyroglutamic (5-oxoproline) acidemia. Acidemia due to pyroglutamic acid should be considered when no other aetiology is found. High anion gap metabolic acidosis is diagnosed in children with inherited defects in enzymes of the γ-glutamyl cycle. In adults, this disorder from pyroglutamic acid has been described in association with chronic acetaminophen misuse. We report a case of pyroglutamic acidosis in a woman with acute misuse of acetaminophen concurrent with chronic use. LEARNING POINT: Paracetamol is an easily available drug with potentially harmful consequences.Accumulation of pyroglutamic acid (5-oxoproline) may be a cause of high anion gap metabolic acidosis.Reporting cases of 5-oxoprolinemia acidosis contributes to better understanding of the condition.

Association Between Weekend and Holiday Admission with Pneumonia and Mortality in a Tertiary Center in Portugal: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Acute bacterial pneumonia is a common and potentially fatal disease where early recognition and treatment are crucial. Increasing medical literature suggests worse outcomes in patients admitted for medical and surgical conditions during the weekend. Little is known about this effect in patients with acute bacterial pneumonia. Obective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of weekend and holiday hospital admission on the outcomes of acute bacterial pneumonia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of adult patients (> 18 years) with acute bacterial pneumonia collected from a tertiary referral center database. Length of stay, total cost, admission to intensive care unit, development of sepsis and organ failure, and mortality were compared between patients admitted on a weekday and patients admitted during a weekend or holiday. RESULTS: We analyzed 53 854 hospital admissions from 42 512 patients (median age 84.0 years, range 18 - 118 years), corresponding to 30 554 admissions during weekdays, 21 222 at weekends and 2078 during public holidays. Weekend and holiday admission was not associated with increased costs, length of stay, intensive care unit admission, development of sepsis, organ failure, and mortality. CONCLUSION: A weekend/holiday effect in acute bacterial pneumonia was not evident in our series.

Introdução: A pneumonia aguda bacteriana é uma entidade comum e potencialmente fatal em que o diagnóstico e tratamento precoces são cruciais. A literatura médica, de forma crescente, reporta piores resultados clínicos em doentes admitidos por doenças médicas e cirúrgicas durante o fim-de-semana. Pouco se sabe deste efeito em doentes com pneumonia aguda bacteriana. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto das admissões durante o fim-de-semana e feriados nos resultados clínicos de doentes admitidos com pneumonia aguda. Material e Métodos: Análise retrospetiva de doentes adultos (> 18 anos) com pneumonia aguda bacteriana recolhidos de uma base de dados de um centro hospitalar terciário. A duração do internamento, custos, admissão em unidade de cuidados intensivos, desenvolvimento de sépsis ou lesão de órgão alvo e mortalidade foram comparados entre doentes admitidos durante a semana e doentes admitidos durante o fim-de-semana ou feriados. Resultados: Verificaram-se 53 854 admissões hospitalares correspondendo a 42 512 doentes (idade mediana 84,0 anos, 18 - 118 anos). Um total de 30 554 admissões ocorreram durante os dias da semana, 21 222 durante o fim-de-semana e 2078 durante feriados. A admissão durante o fim-de-semana ou feriado não se associou a custos mais elevados, internamentos mais prolongados, maior admissão em unidade de cuidados intensivos, desenvolvimento de sépsis ou lesão de órgão alvo e mortalidade. Conclusão: A hipótese dos internamentos durante o fim-de-semana e feriados se associarem a piores resultados clínicos não se verificou no nosso estudo.

Skin-to-skin contact and/or oral 25% dextrose for procedural pain relief for term newborn infants.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to compare the efficacy of oral 25% dextrose treatment and/or skin-to-skin contact for analgesia in term newborns during intramuscular injection of a hepatitis B vaccine. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, partially blinded, clinical trial was performed with 640 healthy term newborns. Infants at 12 to 72 hours of life were assigned randomly to receive an intramuscular injection of hepatitis B vaccine in the right thigh according to 4 analgesia groups, that is, no analgesia (routine); oral 25% dextrose treatment, given 2 minutes before the injection; skin-to-skin contact, initiated 2 minutes before the injection and persisting throughout the procedure; and a combination of the oral dextrose treatment and skin-to-skin contact strategies. For all groups, Neonatal Facial Coding System and Neonatal Infant Pain Scale scores were evaluated before the procedure, during thigh cleansing, during the injection, and 2 minutes after the injection. Premature Infant Pain Profile scores also were assessed for all infants. Pain scores were compared among the 4 groups. RESULTS: The use of oral 25% dextrose treatment reduced the duration of procedural pain in the studied population. Skin-to-skin contact decreased injection pain and duration. The combination of the 2 analgesic measures was more effective than either measure separately for term newborns. CONCLUSIONS: Nonpharmacologic analgesic measures were effective for the treatment of procedural pain in term infants. The combination of oral 25% dextrose treatment and skin-to-skin contact acted synergistically to decrease acute pain in healthy neonates.