Quantification of hs-Troponin Levels and Global Longitudinal Strain among Critical COVID-19 Patients with Myocardial Involvement.

Background. Myocardial involvement among critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often has worse outcomes. An imbalance in the oxygen supply causes the excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which results in increased ventilation requirements and the risk of death in COVID-19 patients. Purpose. We evaluated the association between the hs-troponin I levels and global longitudinal strain (GLS) as evidence of myocardial involvement among critical COVID-19 patients. Methods. We conducted a prospective cohort study from 1 February to 31 July 2021 at RSUD Dr. Soetomo, Surabaya, as a COVID-19 referral center. Of the 65 critical COVID-19 patients included, 41 (63.1%) were men, with a median age (interquartile range) of 51.0 years (20.0-75.0). Subjects were recruited based on WHO criteria for severe COVID-19, and myocardial involvement in the form of myocarditis was assessed using CDC criteria. Subjects were examined using echocardiography to measure the GLS, and blood samples were taken to measure the hs-troponin. Subjects were then followed for their need for mechanical ventilation and in-hospital mortality. Results. Severe COVID-19 patients with cardiac injury were associated with an increased need for intubation (78.5%) and an increased incidence of myocarditis (50.8%). There was a relationship between the use of intubation and the risk of death in patients (66.7% vs. 33.3%, p-value < 0.001). Decreased GLS and increased hs-troponin were associated with increased myocarditis (p values < 0.001 and 0.004, respectively). Decreased GLS was associated with a higher need for mechanical ventilation (12.17 + 4.79 vs. 15.65 + 4.90, p-value = 0.02) and higher mortality (11.36 + 4.64 vs. 14.74 + 4.82; p-value = 0.005). Elevated hs-troponin was associated with a higher need for mechanical ventilation (25.33% vs. 3.56%, p-value = 0.002) and higher mortality (34.57% vs. 5.76%, p-value = 0.002). Conclusions. Critically ill COVID-19 patients with myocardial involvement and elevated cardiac troponin levels are associated with a higher need for mechanical ventilation and higher mortality.

Correlation between interleukin-6 expression in post-mortem core liver biopsy and degree of liver injury in patients with fatal COVID-19.

Excessive release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) during the progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induces cytokine storms, resulting in multi-organ damages including liver injury, similar in nature with mechanism of viral hepatitis. Systemic IL-6 has been associated with the incidence of liver injury among COVID-19 patients; however, studies on IL-6 expression in the liver tissue are completely lacking. The aim of this study was to measure the IL-6 expression in the liver tissues and to determine its correlation with the degree of liver injury in fatal COVID-19 patients. Through this first cross-sectional study, IL-6 expression was measured through immunohistochemical staining and the degree of liver injury was identified based on level of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The Spearman correlation test was used to identify the correlation between IL-6 expression and the degree of liver injury. A total of 47 deceased COVID-19 patients were included and IL-6 expression was observed in all post-mortem liver specimens, ranging from mild to strong expression. Liver injury at various degrees (mild to severe) was found in more than half (59.5%) of the cases. The Spearman correlation analysis suggested a statistically insignificant correlation between liver IL-6 expression and the degree of liver injury (r=0.152; p=0.309). In conclusion, even IL-6 expression was observed in all post-mortem liver specimens, there was an insignificant correlation between IL-6 expression in the liver tissue with the degree of liver injury among fatal COVID-19 patients, suggesting that IL-6 was not the only main factor contributing to liver damage in COVID-19 patients.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression of lung tissue in COVID-19 patient severity through core biopsy post mortem.

Introduction: In COVID-19 patients, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) will increase, and the production of antigens will be excessive, which will cause excessive inflammation of the tissues, especially the respiratory tract, which causes fibrosis in the lungs and can lead to death. Objective: To analyze IL-6 expression of lung tissue in COVID-19 patient severity. Methods: The study is an observational analytic design from July to December 2020. COVID-19 patient severity who died was examined for IL-6 expression on lung tissue. The lung tissue sampling uses the core biopsy method. Results: The total number of samples obtained was 38 samples. Characteristics of patients with a mean age of patients were 48 years, male, the most common chief complaint was shortness of breath, mean symptom onset was 5 days, patient length of stay was 10 days, the most common cause of death was a combination of septic shock and ARDS and the most common comorbid diabetes mellitus. There is an increased WBC, neutrophils, platelets, procalcitonin, CRP, BUN, creatinine serum, AST, ALT, and D-dimer. In this study, the average tissue IL-6 expression was 72.63, with the highest frequency of strong positive 47.4%. Conclusion: An increase in IL-6 expression on lung tissue showed the severity of COVID-19 infection.

The association of depression and central obesity on hypertension in Indonesian provinces: a path analysis of the Indonesian baseline health research 2018 data.

Purpose: This study aims to analyse the direct and indirect relationship between the prevalence of depression and hypertension through central obesity in the Indonesian population.Material and methods: This quantitative analytical observational study is based on secondary data with a cross-sectional design. The data is taken from the Indonesian Baseline Health Research of the Health Research and Development Agency in 2018, which is aggregated data from survey results on household members in 34 Indonesian provinces. We used path analysis and the Sobel test using AMOS 23.0 program to assess the direct and indirect relationship of depression and obesity to hypertension. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the effect of confounding factors on hypertension.Results: The average prevalence (± SD) of depression, central obesity and hypertension in 2018 was 6.21% (± 2.30), 31.26% (± 4.80), and 31.07% (± 4.76). There was an indirect positive relationship between depression and hypertension through central obesity (p = 0.041). The direct effect of depression was associated with a 17% chance of being centrally obese (p = 0.009), and the direct effect of depression and central obesity was associated with a 32.7% chance of becoming hypertensive (p = 0.001). There is no significant direct relationship between depression and hypertension. The effect of confounding factors on hypertension was 21.9% (p = 0.007), lower than the effect of depression and central obesity.Conclusion: Central obesity might be an intermediate variable linking depression and hypertension.

An atypical presentation of aortic dissection: echocardiography for accurate detection.

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection (AD) is a relatively rare but dreadful illness, often accompanied by severe, sharp (or 'tearing') back pain or anterior chest pain, as well as acute hemodynamic compromise. Painless dissection has also been reported in rare cases. Echocardiography has become the most commonly used imaging test for evaluating cardiovascular disease and, thus, plays an important role in aortic disease diagnosis and follow-up. CASE PRESENTATION: This paper presents the case of a 63-year-old female presenting a chronic cough for more than 30 days, accompanied by chest pain radiating to the left scapula, a history of chronic hypertension, and recent chest x-ray findings of mediastinal mass on the upper left of the aortic knob. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) shows a clear image of a dissection flap on the ascending aorta and abdominal aorta, with a false lumen that is larger than the true lumen and filled with intramural thrombus. A transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) examination performed later shows a clear entry tear near the sinuses of Valsalva directly above the ostium of the right coronary artery (RCA). The patient was diagnosed with AD Stanford A de Bakey Type 1. Computed tomography (CT) focusing on the thoracoabdominal aorta and coronary artery was ordered upon suspicion of RCA ostium obstruction by the dissection flap and to further direct the surgical management. However, later on, the patient refused to undergo surgery, opting instead for conservative medical therapy. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of AD is challenging. Our case emphasizes the vital role of TTE in diagnosing AD, particularly in patients with atypical symptoms in which the diagnosis of AD might not be considered. Such missed AD diagnoses can lead to precarious outcomes.

Electrocardiography on admission is associated with poor outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a widely accessible diagnostic tool that can easily be obtained on admission and can reduce excessive contact with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the latest evidence on the association of ECG on admission and the poor outcomes in COVID-19. METHODS: A literature search was conducted on online databases for observational studies evaluating ECG parameters and composite poor outcomes comprising ICU admission, severe illness, and mortality in COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: A total of 2,539 patients from seven studies were included in this analysis. Pooled analysis showed that a longer corrected QT (QTc) interval and more frequent prolonged QTc interval were associated with composite poor outcome ([WMD 6.04 [2.62-9.45], P = .001; I 2:0%] and [RR 1.89 [1.52-2.36], P < .001; I 2:17%], respectively). Patients with poor outcome had a longer QRS duration and a faster heart rate compared with patients with good outcome ([WMD 2.03 [0.20-3.87], P = .030; I 2:46.1%] and [WMD 5.96 [0.96-10.95], P = .019; I 2:55.9%], respectively). The incidence of left bundle branch block (LBBB), premature atrial contraction (PAC), and premature ventricular contraction (PVC) were higher in patients with poor outcome ([RR 2.55 [1.19-5.47], P = .016; I 2:65.9%]; [RR 1.94 [1.32-2.86], P = .001; I 2:62.8%]; and [RR 1.84 [1.075-3.17], P = .026; I 2:70.6%], respectively). T-wave inversion and ST-depression were more frequent in patients with poor outcome ([RR 1.68 [1.31-2.15], P < .001; I 2:14.3%] and [RR 1.61 [1.31-2.00], P < .001; I 2:49.5%], respectively). CONCLUSION: Most ECG abnormalities on admission are significantly associated with an increased composite poor outcome in patients with COVID-19.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Indonesian Subjects with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Who Were Not Receiving Lipid-Lowering Agents.

Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is frequently utilized for detection of subclinical atherosclerosis. This study aims to investigate the association between the CIMT values and demographic characteristics, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, lipid biochemistry profiles, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels among the Indonesian population. Subjects who had two or more CVD risk factors but were not receiving lipid-lowering therapy were recruited from six hospitals of Indonesia. Measurements of CIMT are obtained by ultrasonography of 12 sites within the common carotid artery. CVD risk factors, lipid and glucose profiles, and hs-CRP values were analyzed with respect to distribution of CIMT. The mean-max CIMT was 0.805 ± 0.190 mm (minimum, 0.268 mm; maximum, 1.652 mm) and the mean-mean CIMT was 0.614 ± 0.190 mm (minimum, 0.127 mm; maximum, 1.388 mm). Multivariate analyses confirmed an independent association between increasing CIMT and increasing age (regression coefficient = 0.004; p = 0.004). Our data show normative mean-mean CIMT data for Indonesian subjects with two or more CVD risk factors who are not receiving lipid-lowering therapy, which may guide CVD risk stratification of asymptomatic individuals in Indonesia.