Readmission Risk after COVID-19 Hospitalization: A Moderation Analysis by Vital Signs.

OBJECTIVE: Readmission to the hospital after hospitalization with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Hospital clinicians may identify the presence of a patient's comorbid conditions, overall severity of illness, and clinical status at discharge as risk factors for readmission. Objective data are lacking to support reliance on these factors for discharge decision making. The objective of our study was to examine risk factors for readmission to the hospital after COVID-19 hospitalization and the impact of vital sign abnormalities, within 24 hours of discharge, on readmission rates. METHODS: In total, 2557 COVID-19-related hospital admissions within the Lifespan Health System, a large multicenter health system (Rhode Island), of 2230 unique patients aged 18 years and older, occurring from April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 were analyzed. Risk factors associated with readmission within 30 days were identified and analyzed using Cox regression. A moderation analysis by vital signs at discharge on the risk of readmission was performed. RESULTS: Clinical factors associated with readmissions included existing cardiovascular conditions (risk ratio 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-4.90) and pulmonary disease (risk ratio 3.25, 95% CI 1.62-6.52). The absence of abnormal vital signs within 24 hours of discharge was associated with decreased 30-day readmission rates (risk ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.52-0.94). Elevated C-reactive protein and d-dimer values and in-hospital complications including stroke, myocardial infarction, acute renal failure, and gastrointestinal bleeding were not associated with an increased risk of readmission. In moderation analysis, the presence of normal vital signs within 24 hours of discharge was associated with decreased readmission risk in patients who had primary risk factors for readmission including pulmonary disease (risk ratio 0.80, 95% CI 0.65-0.99), psychiatric disorders, and substance use (risk ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.52-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid conditions, including pulmonary and cardiovascular disease, are associated with readmission risk after COVID-19 hospitalization. The normalization of vital signs within 24 hours of discharge during COVID-19 hospitalization may be an indicator of readiness for discharge and may mitigate some readmission risk conferred by comorbid conditions.

Management of the Patient with Chronic Critical Illness - Part 2.

Patients with chronic critical illness (CCI) represent a growing segment of the hospitalized population. Key aspects of care in CCI patients including tracheostomy, prolonged mechanical ventilation, nutritional support, wound care, and others require a comprehensive, goal-directed approach. Infectious complications of CCI including pneumonia, tracheobronchitis and urinary tract infection may be caused by nosocomial organisms requiring awareness and adjustment of treatment regimen. Finally, psychiatric, palliative, rehabilitative components of care impact heavily upon outcomes in CCI patients. As care that is typically associated with the intensive care unit is extended to the hospital ward, we aim to increase awareness among providers and outline a systematic approach to deliver high quality, patient centered care to CCI patients.

Management of the Patient with Chronic Critical Illness - Part 1: This is part one of a two part series. Part two will be published in September.

Patients with chronic critical illness (CCI) represent a growing segment of the hospitalized population. Key aspects of care in CCI patients including tracheostomy, prolonged mechanical ventilation, nutritional support, wound care, and others require a comprehensive, goal-directed approach. Infectious complications of CCI including pneumonia, tracheobronchitis and urinary tract infection may be caused by nosocomial organisms requiring awareness and adjustment of treatment regimen. Finally, psychiatric, palliative, rehabilitative components of care impact heavily upon outcomes in CCI patients. As care that is typically associated with the intensive care unit is extended to the hospital ward, we aim to increase awareness among providers and outline a systematic approach to deliver high quality, patient centered care to CCI patients.

Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Secondary to Human Metapneumovirus Pulmonary Infection.

A 67-year-old man presented with a week of flu-like symptoms, hypoxia, and fever. Respiratory viral panel was positive for human metapneumovirus. Initial chest imaging showed left lower lobe opacification, suggesting a bacterial superimposed on viral pneumonia. Despite antibiotics, the patient became tachycardic and increasingly hypoxic, requiring 40 L high-flow nasal cannula. Repeat imaging demonstrated worsening of a left lower lobe process. Elective bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage revealed hemorrhage. Subsequent autoimmune, bacterial, and fungal workup was negative. The patient was diagnosed with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) secondary to human metapneumovirus pneumonia. DAH is defined as bleeding into the alveolar spaces of the lungs, a process which carries high rates of morbidity and mortality.1 While dramatic in name and often associated with hemoptysis, DAH may only present with clinically subtle and nonspecific features with a variety of alternative etiologies to consider. We present this case of DAH secondary to human metapneumovirus (hMPV) to promote discussion of etiologies of DAH aside from systemic vasculitis.

Disease Severity in Vaccinated Adults Hospitalized with Breakthrough COVID-19.

Background: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is widely used and confers protection against morbidity and mortality in COVID-19. Little is known about disease severity and outcomes in fully vaccinated patients during hospitalization for COVID-19. Aim: To determine whether vaccination status and time from vaccination-to-hospitalization impacted disease severity in patients admitted with COVID-19. Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted on hospitalized adults with COVID-19 between January 1 and September 8, 2021, in Rhode Island, USA. Vaccination status and markers of disease severity, including C-reactive protein, D-Dimer values, and supplemental oxygen use during hospitalization, were obtained. Results: Two thousand three hundred forty-four patients were included. For every vaccinated patient, three unvaccinated patients were matched for a total of 424 patients in the analytic sample. Vaccinated patients had lower peak C-reactive protein (beta = -39.10, 95% CI [-79.10, -0. 65]) and supplemental oxygen requirements (beta = -38.14, 95% CI [-61.62, -9.91]) compared to unvaccinated patients. Patients who had a greater discrepancy between date of vaccination and admission had higher C-reactive protein (beta = 0.37, 95% CI [0.02, 0.71]) and supplemental oxygen requirements (beta = 0.44, 95% CI [0.15, 0.75]. Conclusion: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was associated with a protective effect on disease severity during hospitalization for breakthrough COVID-19. Time elapsed since vaccination was associated with indicators of greater disease severity suggestive of waning protection over time.

Cardiac Tamponade Associated with Pembrolizumab Therapy in Patient with Pneumonectomy for Lung Cancer.

A 57-year-old man with a history of right pneumonectomy for squamous cell lung cancer who presented with dyspnea and hypotension, was found to have pericardial effusion complicated by cardiac tamponade, associated with pembrolizumab therapy. Pericardiocentesis could not be safely attempted due to presence of right-sided mediastinal tissue shift in the setting of previous right pneumonectomy. The patient improved significantly with surgical placement of pericardial window. Analysis of the pericardial fluid was negative for malignancy and was consistent with acute inflammation. Pembrolizumab and other immune checkpoint inhibitors are associated with cardiovascular toxicity, including pericardial effusion and in rare cases, cardiac tamponade. Treatment of cardiac tamponade in post-pneumonectomy patients may be subject to anatomical limitations precluding percutaneous pericardiocentesis and requires early recognition as well as availability of surgical intervention.

Baricitinib in hospitalised patients with COVID-19: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background: To date, only dexamethasone and tocilizumab have been shown to reduce mortality in patients with COVID-19. Baricitinib is a Janus kinase 1/2 inhibitor with known anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. We performed a meta-analysis of RCTs assessing the role of baricitinib in hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Methods: Electronic databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central were searched up until March 31, 2022, for RCTs evaluating the efficacy of baricitinib in hospitalised patients with COVID-19. The outcomes assessed were 28-day mortality, progression to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or ECMO, progression to respiratory failure needing positive pressure ventilation, IMV or death, duration of hospitalisation and time to discharge. The meta-analysis was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022314579). Findings: Four studies (with 10,815 patients) were included in the analysis. Pooled analysis using random-effects model showed a statistically significant reduction in 28-day mortality (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.50-0.94; p=0.04, I2=65%) and composite outcome of progression to severe disease needing positive pressure ventilation, IMV or death (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.80-0.99, p= 0.03, I2=0%). There was a favorable trend towards reduced progression to IMV or ECMO (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.58-1.01; p=0.06, I2=49%) in the baricitinib arm compared to standard therapy, even though it was not statistically significant. Statistical significance was achieved for all outcomes with fixed-effects model analysis. Interpretation: In hospitalised patients with COVID-19, baricitinib was associated with reduced 28-day mortality although there was not a statistically significant reduction in progression to IMV or ECMO. Baricitinib used in conjunction with standard of care treatments is associated with improved mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 disease. Funding: None.

Efficacy of remdesivir for hospitalized COVID-19 patients with end stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Since the beginning of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been a widespread use of remdesivir in adults and children. There is little known information about its outcomes in patients with end stage renal disease who are on dialysis. AIM: To assess the clinical outcomes with use of remdesivir in adult patients with end stage kidney failure on hemodialysis. METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted on patients with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis that were discharged after treatment for COVID-19 between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Primary endpoints were oxygen requirements, time to mortality and escalation of care needing mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients were included in the study. Twenty patients received remdesivir, and 25 patients did not receive remdesivir. Most patients were caucasian, females with diabetes mellitus and hypertension being the commonest comorbidities. There was a trend towards reduced oxygen requirement (beta = -25.93, X 2 (1) = 6.65, P = 0.0099, probability of requiring mechanical ventilation (beta = -28.52, X 2 (1) = 22.98, P < 0.0001) and mortality (beta = -5.03, X 2 (1) = 7.41, P = 0.0065) in patients that received remdesivir compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Larger studies are justified to study the effects of remdesivir in this high-risk population with end stage kidney disease on dialysis.

Salmonella typhimurium as a causative agent of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis and abdominal ascites, usually caused by organisms from the Enterobacteriaceae family. A woman in her 40s with a history of alcoholic liver cirrhosis presented to the hospital with dyspnoea, abdominal distention and diffuse abdominal pain. She was found to have sepsis and abdominal ascites, with elevated ascitic fluid neutrophil counts consistent with SBP. Culture of ascitic fluid revealed Salmonella typhimurium Further investigation revealed that the patient shared her home with a pet bearded dragon, a reptile known to carry Salmonella spp. She was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone and oral ciprofloxacin for a total of 14 days. S. typhimurium, likely transmitted to the patient from the pet reptile, is a rare pathogen in SBP and highlights the importance of environmental exposures in the management of this condition.

Severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in a vaccinated adult with COVID-19.

The ability of SARS-CoV-2 to trigger hyperinflammatory response in children and adults is increasingly recognised. However, the detailed features that distinguish severe COVID-19-associated hyperinflammation from multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is not yet known. We describe a young, vaccinated patient with no prior SARS-CoV-2 exposure who developed COVID-19 and MIS-A. We also provide a review of the current literature on MIS-A and COVID-19-associated hyperinflammation.

The Treatment of COVID-19 Purgatory Syndrome With Tocilizumab and Steroids.

Hyperinflammation is a key component of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is associated with poor outcomes. It is imperative to distinguish severe COVID-19 from hyperinflammatory syndromes such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. There is a subset of post-COVID-19 patients who present with some symptoms characteristic of MIS in adults (MIS-A) yet do not meet all the criteria for a diagnosis. We describe the unique case of a patient with this kind of presentation who clinically improved following tocilizumab and corticosteroid usage.

Association of Treatment with Remdesivir and 30-day Hospital Readmissions in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a widespread use of remdesivir in adults and children. There is little known information about remdesivir's role in reducing 30-day readmissions after hospitalization with COVID-19. This study aimed to determine whether treatment with remdesivir was associated with reduced risk of 30-day readmission after index hospitalization with COVID-19. METHODS: The study was a multi-center cohort study in Rhode Island, USA. Patients included all adults that were discharged after hospital treatment for COVID-19 between April 1st and December 31st, 2020. The main study outcomes were length of hospital stay, 30-day readmission, and post-discharge 30 days mortality. RESULTS: A total of 2,062 patients (2,279 hospitalizations) were included in the analytic sample. Patients were less likely to be readmitted within 30 days if they received remdesivir relative to not receiving remdesivir; associations were strongest for those with mild disease (RR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.13,0.75). Remdesivir treatment was associated with reduction in all-cause mortality (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.49,0.85) and an increase in length of stay (estimated average increase of 3.27 days; 95% CI: 2.11,4.44). LIMITATION: Unmeasured factors such as time-to-treatment and severity of disease prior to initiation of remdesivir. CONCLUSIONS: Remdesivir may be an effective strategy for reducing progression to severe COVID-19 disease and limiting morbidity associated with readmission to hospital. Larger prospective studies are justified to study the role of remdesivir in mild or early COVID-19 with high risk of disease progression and readmission to hospital within 30 days.

Lactococcus lactis bacteraemia in a patient on probiotic supplementation therapy.

A 59-year-old woman presented with fever and malaise and was found to have Lactococcus lactis bacteraemia. L. lactis infection is rare in humans with few reported cases, with most associated with dairy food product ingestion. The patient reported use of a multistrain over-the-counter probiotic supplement. After isolation of L. lactis from blood culture, the patient was treated empirically with ertapenem and amoxicillin and displayed clinical improvement. She remained well after completion of antibiotic regimen and discontinued probiotic supplementation use. We review the clinical presentation of L. lactis infection including diagnosis, identification and treatment.

Tocilizumab in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Meta Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: To date, only dexamethasone has been shown to reduce mortality in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients. Tocilizumab has been recently added to the treatment guidelines for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but data remain conflicting. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Electronic databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane central were searched from March 1, 2020, until March 10, 2021, for randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of tocilizumab in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The outcomes assessed were all-cause mortality, mechanical ventilation, and time to discharge. RESULTS: Nine studies (with 6490 patients) were included in the analysis. In total, 3358 patients received tocilizumab, and 3132 received standard care/placebo. Pooled analysis showed a significantly decreased risk of all-cause mortality (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.80-0.98, p = 0.02) and progression to mechanical ventilation (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.71-0.89, p < 0.0001) in the tocilizumab arm compared to standard therapy or placebo. In addition, there was a trend towards improved median time to hospital discharge (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.12-1.45, p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Tocilizumab therapy improves outcomes of mortality and need for mechanical ventilation, in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection compared with standard therapy or placebo. Our findings suggest the efficacy of tocilizumab therapy in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and strengthen the concept that tocilizumab is a promising therapeutic intervention to improve mortality and morbidity in COVID-19 patients.

Presentations and Outcomes of Severe Cardiac Complications in COVID-19: Rhode Island Experience.

Forty-one (41) patients admitted to Rhode Island hospitals with COVID-19 from April to November 2020 were identified to have severe cardiac complications. Clinical presentations of cardiovascular system toxicity in COVID-19 included myocarditis, pericarditis, cardiomyopathy, ACS and cardiac arrhythmia. Clinical features, hospital outcomes and post-discharge outcomes were characterized. Acute myocarditis (46.3%) and cardiomyopathy (29.3%) were the most common findings followed by cardiac arrhythmia, acute coronary syndrome, and pericardial disease. Pulmonary involvement of COVID-19 was absent in 41.5% of patients. Comorbid cardiovascular conditions were absent in 29.3% of patients. Severe cardiac complications in COVID-19 were associated with an in-hospital mortality rate of 61%. Among survivors with COVID-19-related cardiomyopathy, only 20% demonstrated recovery of LV function on follow-up echocardiography done within 12 weeks after initial diagnosis. Identification, diagnosis and management of severe cardiac complications in COVID-19 are discussed.

Idiopathic subglottic stenosis in a young female patient.

A previously healthy 30-year-old woman presented with 3 years of progressive shortness of breath and audible wheezing. One year prior to presentation, she developed a chronic non-productive cough. Pulmonary function testing revealed flattened inspiratory and expiratory peaks, characteristic of an extrathoracic fixed tracheal obstruction. Bronchoscopy confirmed subglottic stenosis (SGS). She had no history of intubation, tracheostomy or evidence of a systemic inflammatory illness. She was diagnosed with idiopathic SGS and referred for rigid bronchoscopy with balloon dilatation resulting in improvement in her symptoms.

Acute Vision Loss in a Patient with COVID-19.

To date, there have been reports of neurologic manifestations in COVID-19 patients including ischemic strokes, Guillain-Barre Syndrome and anosmia. In this case report, we describe a patient who presented with dysosmia, dysgeusia, along with monocular peripheral vision loss after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Short-Term Dexamethasone in Sars-CoV-2 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. There is a hyperinflammatory response involved in the clinical course of patients with pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2. To date, there has been no definite therapy for COVID-19. We reviewed the charts of SARS-CoV-2 patients with pneumonia and moderate to severely elevated CRP and worsening hypoxemia who were treated with early, short-term dexamethasone. METHODS: We describe a series of 21 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and were admitted to The Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI, and were treated with a short course of dexamethasone, either alone or in addition to current investigative therapies. RESULTS: CRP levels decreased significantly following the start of dexamethasone from mean initial levels of 129.52 to 40.73 mg/L at time of discharge. 71% percent of the patients were discharged home with a mean length of stay of 7.8 days. None of the patients had escalation of care, leading to mechanical ventilation. Two patients were transferred to inpatient hospice facilities on account of persistent hypoxemia, in line with their documented goals of care. CONCLUSIONS: A short course of systemic corticosteroids among inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 with hypoxic respiratory failure was well tolerated, and most patients had improved outcomes. This limited case series may not offer concrete evidence towards the benefit of corticosteroids in COVID-19. However, patients' positive response to short-term corticosteroids demonstrates that they may help blunt the severity of inflammation and prevent a severe hyperinflammatory phase, in turn reducing the length of stay, ICU admissions, and healthcare costs.

Enoxaparin-induced hepatotoxicity: an under-recognised complication of enoxaparin therapy.

Low-molecular-weight heparins including enoxaparin are commonly used for anticoagulation as prophylaxis and treatment for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Prescribers of enoxaparin monitor for common side effects, such as bleeding and thrombocytopenia, but hepatotoxicity, a less common and under-reported adverse effect, may be overlooked. This report describes a case of enoxaparin-induced hepatotoxicity in a 57-year-old man who was started on the drug for a DVT. Within 3 days of taking enoxaparin, elevated transaminases were noted, and the drug was discontinued after 6 days. Similar to other published reports, the patient's transaminases peaked 1 day after discontinuation of the drug and then trended down to normal over 32 days.

Unusual organism causing pyocystis in an immunosuppressed haemodialysis patient.

A 68-year-old man with end-stage renal disease and a history of orthotopic cardiac transplantation on chronic immune suppression therapy presented to the emergency department with fever and purulent urethral discharge. He was diagnosed with pyocystis (bladder abscess). Culture of the urethral discharge showedTrueperella bernardiae The patient improved after 3 days of bladder irrigation with normal saline and gentamicin. This case demonstrates that bladder abscess is a potential source of infection in an oliguric patient. This is the first report to describe the opportunistic pathogen,T. bernardiae, as the causative agent in pyocystis.