Evaluation of the discrimination and calibration of predictive scores of mortality in ECMO for patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The criteria for the selection of COVID-19 patients that could benefit most from ECMO organ support are yet to be defined. In this study, we evaluated the predictive performance of ECMO mortality predictive models in patients with COVID-19. We also performed a cost-benefit analysis depending on the mortality predicted probability. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in COVID-19 patients who received ECMO at two tertiary care hospitals between March 2020 to July 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the discrimination (C-statistic), calibration (Cox calibration), and accuracy of the prediction of death due to severe ARDS in V-V ECMO score (PRESERVE), the Respiratory Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Survival Score (RESP) score, and the PREdiction of Survival on ECMO Therapy-Score (PRESET) score. In addition, we compared the RESP score with Plateau pressure instead of Peak pressure. RESULTS: We included a total of 36 patients, 29 (80%) of them male and with a median (IQR) APACHE of 10 (8-15). The PRESET score had the highest discrimination (AUROCs 0.81 [95%CI 0.67-0.94]) and calibration (calibration-in-the-large 0.5 [95%CI -1.4 to 0.3]; calibration slope 2.2 [95%CI 0.7/3.7]). The RESP score with Plateau pressure had higher discrimination than the conventional RESP score. The cost per QALY in the USA, adjusted to life expectancy, was higher than USD 100 000 in patients older than 45 years with a PRESET > 10. CONCLUSION: The PRESET score had the highest predictive performance and could help in the selection of patients that benefit most from this resource-demanding and highly invasive organ support.

Bronchoscopy-guided percutaneous tracheostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the efficacy and complications associated with performing bronchoscopy-guided percutaneous tracheostomy in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Prospective observational study conducted between March of 2020 and February of 2022. All adult patients who underwent elective bronchoscopy-guided percutaneous tracheostomy were included. The efficacy of the procedure was evaluated based either on the success rate in the execution or on the need for conversion to open technique. Percutaneous tracheostomy-related complications were registered during the procedure. We performed 6-month follow-up for identifying late complications. RESULTS: During the study period, 312 bronchoscopy-guided percutaneous tracheostomies were analyzed. One hundred and eighty-three were performed in COVID-19 patients and 129 among non-COVID-19 patients. Overall, 64.1% (200) of patients were male, with a median age of 66 (interquartile range 54-74), and 65% (205) presented at least 1 comorbidity. Overall, oxygen desaturation was the main complication observed (20.8% [65]), being more frequent in the COVID-19 group occurring in 27.3% (50) with a statistically significant difference versus the non-COVID-19 patients' group (11.6% [15]); P < .01). Major complications such as hypotension, arrhythmias, and pneumothorax were more frequently observed among COVID-19 patients as well but with no significant differences. Percutaneous tracheostomy could be executed quickly and satisfactorily in all the patients with no need for conversion to the open technique. Likewise, no suspension of the procedure was required in any case. During 6-month follow-up, we found an incidence of 0.96% (n = 3) late complications, 2 tracheal granulomas, and 1 ostomal infection. CONCLUSION: Bronchoscopy-guided percutaneous tracheostomy can be considered an effective and safe procedure in COVID-19 patients. Nevertheless, it is highly remarkable that in the series under study, a great number of COVID-19 patients presented oxygen desaturation during the procedure.

[Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in COVID-19] / Membrana de circulación extracorpórea en enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19).

Introduction: The role of the use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is under discussion. Whereas in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) the ECMO is a usual rescue measure used to optimize the oxygenation as a bridge to pulmonary rehabilitation, in patients that have refractory hypoxemic respiratory failure with recovery potential, the use of ECMO could also be beneficial. Objective: The purpose of this work is to report the first case of COVID-19 that required ECMO in Argentina, with a good response. Methodology: We describe the first case of COVID-19 that required ECMO in Argentina, in a patient without comorbidities, with good clinical results. Results: The use of ECMO in the reported case provided a substantial benefit in oxygenation, acting as a bridge to lung recovery, without presenting complications associated with its application. Conclusion: In critically ill patients with refractory hypoxemia, but with high recovery potential, ECMO support can be considered as a rescue measure.

Introducción: El uso de membrana de circulación extracorpórea (ECMO) en pacientes con síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo (SDRA) es una medida de rescate que busca optimizar la oxigenación como puente a la rehabilitación pulmonar. Su rol en la enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19) no está definido, sin embargo, en pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria hipoxémica refractaria, y con potencial de recuperación, su uso podría resultar beneficioso. Objetivo: El propósito de este trabajo es informar el primer caso de COVID-19 que requirió ECMO en Argentina, con buena respuesta. Metodología: Se describe el primer caso de COVID-19 que requirió ECMO en Argentina, en un paciente sin comorbilidades, con buen resultado clínico. Resultados: El uso de ECMO en el caso reportado aportó un sustancial beneficio en la oxigenación actuando como puente a la recuperación pulmonar, sin presentar complicaciones asociadas a su aplicación. Conclusión: Conclusión: En pacientes críticamente enfermos con hipoxemia refractaria, pero con potencial de recuperación, el soporte con ECMO puede ser considerado como una medida de rescate.

Clinical characteristics of critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a major challenge for healthcare systems. In South America, local information about the incidence and clinical characteristics of critically ill patients diagnosed with COVID-19 is still limited. In this observational and retrospective study, we aimed to describe critically ill patients' clinical and respiratory characteristics with COVID-19. The study was performed over 6 months in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a high complexity hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Patients older than 18 years with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 by reverse tran scriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics such as sex and age, comorbidities, laboratory results, imaging results, ventilatory mechanics data, complications, and mortality were recorded. A total of 168 critically ill patients with COVID-19 were included. Sixty-six percent were men with a median age of 65 years (58-75); 79.7% had at least one comorbidity. The most frequent comorbidity was arterial hypertension, affecting 52.4%. A 67.9% required invasive mechanical ventilation (MV), and no one was treated with non-invasive ventilation. Most of the patients in MV (73.7%) required neuromuscular blockade due to severe hypoxemia. A 36% was ventilated in the prone position. The length of stay in the ICU was 13 days (6-24) and ICU's mortality was 25%.

La pandemia de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) plantea un gran desafío para los sistemas de salud. En América del Sur, la información local sobre la incidencia y las características clínicas de los pacientes críticamente enfermos diagnosticados con COVID-19 aún es limitada. En este estudio observacional y retrospectivo, nuestro objetivo fue describir las características clínicas y respiratorias de los pacientes críticamente enfermos con COVID-19. El estudio se realizó durante 6 meses en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) de un hospital de alta complejidad en Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se incluyeron en el estudio pacientes mayores de 18 años con COVID-19 confirmado por laboratorio mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcriptasa inversa (RT-PCR) para SARS-CoV-2. Se registraron características demográficas como sexo y edad, comorbilidades, resultados de laboratorio, resultados de imagen, datos de mecánica ventilatoria, complicaciones y mortalidad. Se incluyeron un total de 168 pacientes críticamente enfermos con COVID-19. El 66% eran hombres con una mediana de edad de 65 años (58-75). El 79.7% presentaba al menos una comorbilidad. La comorbilidad más frecuente fue la hipertensión arterial, afectando al 52.4%. El 67.9% requirió ventilación mecánica invasiva (VM) y ninguno fue tratado con ventilación no invasiva. La mayoría de los pacientes en VM (73.7%) requirieron bloqueo neuromuscular por hipoxemia grave. Un 36% de ellos fueron ventilados en decúbito prono. La estancia en UCI fue de 13 días (6-24) y la mortalidad en UCI fue del 25%.

[COVID-19 in the intensive care unit. Analysis of the experience during the first month of pandemic]. / COVID-19 en la terapia intensiva. Análisis de la experiencia durante el primer mes de la pandemia.

This is an analysis of clinical characteristics, images findings, laboratory variables and respiratory mechanics in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the first month of the pandemic outbreak in Buenos Aires. In this descriptive case study of a single-centre, we included all confirmed cases of COVID-19 hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU). All cases were confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A total of 7 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were referred to out ICU. The median age was 71 years (interquartile range 52-75), including 4 men and 3 women. Patients most common clinical manifestations were fever (7), cough (5), asthenia (4) and shortness of breath (3). Among the radiological findings, five of them showed interstitial opacities and one patient had bilateral pulmonary consolidation. Five required invasive mechanical ventilation and multiple prone sessions. None died during hospitalization, although three still remain in the ICU. According to imaging examination, 71.4% showed interstitial opacities and one patient bilateral consolidation. Five patients required invasive mechanical ventilation and multiple prone sessions. None of them died during hospitalization, although three still remain in the ICU.

Se trata de un análisis de características clínicas, hallazgos radiológicos, variables de laboratorio y mecánica respiratoria en pacientes con enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) durante el primer mes de la pandemia en Buenos Aires. Es un estudio descriptivo de casos, de un solo centro. Se incluyeron todos los casos confirmados de COVID-19 internados en la unidad de terapia intensiva de adultos (UTIA) del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Todos los casos se confirmaron por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcriptasa inversa. Un total de 7 pacientes con COVID-19 fueron atendidos en la UTIA. La mediana de edad fue de 71 años (intervalos intercuartílicos: 52-75), 4 hombres y 3 mujeres. Las manifestaciones clínicas más comunes fueron fiebre (7), tos (5), astenia (4) y disnea (3). Entre los hallazgos radiológicos, cinco de ellos mostraron opacidades intersticiales y un paciente consolidación pulmonar bilateral. Cinco requirieron ventilación mecánica invasiva y múltiples sesiones de decúbito prono. Ninguno murió durante la hospitalización, aunque aún tres permanecen en UCI.

Clinical characteristics of critically ill patients with COVID-19 / Características clínicas de los pacientes críticos con COVID-19

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a major challenge for healthcare systems. In South America, local information about the incidence and clinical characteristics of critically ill patients diagnosed with COVID-19 is still limited. In this observational and retrospective study, we aimed to de scribe critically ill patients' clinical and respiratory characteristics with COVID-19. The study was performed over 6 months in an intensive care unit (ICU) of a high complexity hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Patients older than 18 years with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 by reverse tran scriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics such as sex and age, comorbidities, laboratory results, imaging results, ventilatory mechanics data, complications, and mortality were recorded. A total of 168 critically ill patients with COVID-19 were included. Sixty-six percent were men with a median age of 65 years (58-75); 79.7% had at least one comorbidity. The most frequent comorbidity was arterial hypertension, affecting 52.4%. A 67.9% required invasive mechanical ventilation (MV), and no one was treated with non-invasive ventilation. Most of the patients in MV (73.7%) required neuromuscular blockade due to severe hypoxemia. A 36% was ventilated in the prone position. The length of stay in the ICU was 13 days (6-24) and ICU's mortality was 25%.

Resumen La pandemia de la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) plantea un gran desafío para los sistemas de salud. En América del Sur, la información local sobre la incidencia y las características clínicas de los pacientes crítica mente enfermos diagnosticados con COVID-19 aún es limitada. En este estudio observacional y retrospectivo, nuestro objetivo fue describir las características clínicas y respiratorias de los pacientes críticamente enfermos con COVID-19. El estudio se realizó durante 6 meses en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) de un hospital de alta complejidad en Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se incluyeron en el estudio pacientes mayores de 18 años con COVID-19 confirmado por laboratorio mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcriptasa inversa (RT-PCR) para SARS-CoV-2. Se registraron características demográficas como sexo y edad, comorbilidades, resultados de laboratorio, resultados de imagen, datos de mecánica ventilatoria, complicaciones y mortalidad. Se incluyeron un total de 168 pacientes críticamente enfermos con COVID-19. El 66% eran hombres con una mediana de edad de 65 años (58-75). El 79.7% presentaba al menos una comorbilidad. La comorbilidad más frecuente fue la hipertensión arterial, afectando al 52.4%. El 67.9% requirió ventilación mecánica invasiva (VM) y ninguno fue tratado con ventilación no invasiva. La mayoría de los pacientes en VM (73.7%) requirieron bloqueo neuromuscular por hipoxemia grave. Un 36% de ellos fueron ventilados en decúbito prono. La estancia en UCI fue de 13 días (6-24) y la mortalidad en UCI fue del 25%.

COVID-19 en la terapia intensiva: Análisis de la experiencia durante el primer mes de la pandemia / COVID-19 in the intensive care unit. Analysis of the experience during the first month of pandemic

Se trata de un análisis de características clínicas, hallazgos radiológicos, variables de laboratorio y mecánica respiratoria en pacientes con enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) durante el primer mes de la pandemia en Buenos Aires. Es un estudio descriptivo de casos, de un solo centro. Se incluyeron todos los casos confirmados de COVID-19 internados en la unidad de terapia intensiva de adultos (UTIA) del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Todos los casos se confirmaron por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcriptasa inversa. Un total de 7 pacientes con COVID-19 fueron atendidos en la UTIA. La mediana de edad fue de 71 años (intervalos intercuartílicos: 52-75), 4 hombres y 3 mujeres. Las manifestaciones clínicas más comunes fueron fiebre (7), tos (5), astenia (4) y disnea (3). Entre los hallazgos radiológicos, cinco de ellos mostraron opacidades intersticiales y un paciente consolidación pulmonar bilateral. Cinco requirieron ventilación mecánica invasiva y múltiples sesiones de decúbito prono. Ninguno murió durante la hospitalización, aunque aún tres permanecen en UCI.

This is an analysis of clinical characteristics, images findings, laboratory variables and respiratory mechanics in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the first month of the pandemic outbreak in Buenos Aires. In this descriptive case study of a single-centre, we included all confirmed cases of COVID-19 hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU). All cases were confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A total of 7 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were referred to out ICU. The median age was 71 years (interquartile range 52-75), including 4 men and 3 women. Patients most common clinical manifestations were fever (7), cough (5), asthenia (4) and shortness of breath (3). Among the radiological findings, five of them showed interstitial opacities and one patient had bilateral pulmonary consolidation. Five required invasive mechanical ventilation and multiple prone sessions. None died during hospitalization, although three still remain in the ICU. According to imaging examination, 71.4% showed interstitial opacities and one patient bilateral consolidation. Five patients required invasive mechanical ventilation and multiple prone sessions. None of them died during hospitalization, although three still remain in the ICU.