Evaluation of d-dimer as outcome biomarker in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress patients.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a significant complication in critical care patients. COVID-19 (C19)-associated severe respiratory failure is related to it, and d-dimer rise predicts a worse outcome. To investigate the association between d-dimer and the severity of this respiratory syndrome, we conducted a study in C19 intubated patients. A retrospective, single-center observational study was conducted with 64 C19 adult intubated patients. Strata of d-dimer results between patients was evaluated using survival analysis. Survival was higher in mild respiratory distress patients. D-dimer showed poor sensitivity and specificity in predicting respiratory failure severity. Risk assessment for death showed a higher prevalence of admission d-dimer results (HR 1.335; 95% CI 0.695-2.564). Our sample confidently represented the medical profile of C19 severe patients. Sepsis development in C19 is associated with the inflammatory storm in respiratory distress syndrome. As the receiver operating curves show, the increase in d-dimer results is consistent with inflammation rather than a prognostic biomarker. As expected, severe respiratory distress patients presented higher mortality. In summary, d-dimer results are not associated with the prognosis of C19 respiratory distress syndrome patients.

METACARPAL FRACTURES TREATMENT: COMPARASION BETWEEN KIRSCHNER WIRE AND INTRAMEDULLARY SCREW.

Introduction: Metacarpal fractures are common and can be treated surgically using Kirschner wires (K-wires) or intramedullary fixation with compression screws (IMCS). Objectives: Analyze the postsurgical results from treating the metacarpal extra-articular fractures through the retrograde Kirschner wire technique, and compare it with the intramedullary compression screw fixation. Methods: Retrospective and quantitative studies were to analyze patients' medical records, and a postsurgical evaluation questionnaire was given to the patients, who were divided into K-wire and IMCS. Results: The period of immobilization with a splint took six weeks for the K-wire group and four weeks for the IMCS group. The average time for consolidation took, respectively, fifty-seven days and forty-seven days. The first group could restart their activities twenty-two days after the other, and the average force value of the treated hand, when compared with its contralateral, was 93.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Between the operated hand and its contralateral, there was a difference of 16° in the total measures of the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint's range of movement among the K-wire group and 5° among the IMCS group. Conclusion: The patients who participated in this study showed excellent results after surgery, and both treatments were proven to be safe and reliable. Evidence level III; Retrospective comparative study .

Introdução: Fraturas dos metacarpos são frequentes e podem ser tratadas de forma cirúrgica com os fios de Kirschner (FK) e Fixação Intramedular com Parafuso de Compressão (FIPC). Objetivo: Analisar os resultados pós-operatórios do tratamento das fraturas extra-articulares dos metacarpos pela técnica retrógrada com fios de Kirschner e comparar com a fixação intramedular utilizando parafuso de compressão. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, quantitativo, com análise de prontuários, utilizando questionários de avaliação pós-operatória em dez pacientes divididos em dois grupos: FIPC e FK. Resultados: O período de imobilização com tala nos grupos FK e FIPC foram de seis e quatro semanas respectivamente, já o tempo médio para consolidação foi de 57 e 47 dias respectivamente. O grupo FK retornou as atividades laborais após os FIPC. O valor médio de força na mão acometida comparada a contralateral foi de 93,9% no grupo FK, e no FIPC de 95,4%. Medidas da soma de amplitude de movimento das articulações metacarpofalangeanas e interfalangeanas no grupo FK obtiveram diferença média entre as mãos operada e a contralateral de 16°, já na FIPC observou-se 5°. Conclusão: Os pacientes estudados apresentaram excelentes resultados pós-operatórios e ambos os tratamentos provam ser seguros e confiáveis. Nível de evidência III; Estudo retrospectivo comparativo .

Does COVID-19 really impact on the oxy-hemoglobin dissociation curve?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a crucial impact on lifestyle worldwide. In this way, many studies have been presented, leading to continuous revaluation and questioning of conducts and concepts. Such is the case of the Chinese study suggesting that the new coronavirus has the potential to code anomalous nonstructural proteins capable of dissociating the iron atom from the porphyrin structure, contributing significantly to the characteristic hypoxemia conditions of the disease. Considering the potential impacts of those findings, the current study aims to evaluate and measure the dissociation curve of oxy-hemoglobin in COVID-19 patients. The project consists of a retrospective cohort study with data regarding oximetry and hemoglobin levels collected from digital patients records. The correlation between the measures and estimated values by Spearmen test was 0.843 (P < .001). A multiple linear regression model was applied using measured SO2 as a predicted variable and hemoglobin, PO2, and pH levels as predictors. The coefficients were pH 0.16-0.31 (P < .001); PO2 0.52-0.66 (P < .001) and Hb 0.088-0.059 (P = .706). Despite its limitations, the present study suggests that, at least in situations of clinical severity, the proposed mechanism does not appear to be universal or to have a significant clinical impact.

Evaluation of d-dimer as outcome biomarker in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress patients

ABSTRACT Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a significant complication in critical care patients. COVID-19 (C19)-associated severe respiratory failure is related to it, and d-dimer rise predicts a worse outcome. To investigate the association between d-dimer and the severity of this respiratory syndrome, we conducted a study in C19 intubated patients. A retrospective, single-center observational study was conducted with 64 C19 adult intubated patients. Strata of d-dimer results between patients was evaluated using survival analysis. Survival was higher in mild respiratory distress patients. D-dimer showed poor sensitivity and specificity in predicting respiratory failure severity. Risk assessment for death showed a higher prevalence of admission d-dimer results (HR 1.335; 95% CI 0.695-2.564). Our sample confidently represented the medical profile of C19 severe patients. Sepsis development in C19 is associated with the inflammatory storm in respiratory distress syndrome. As the receiver operating curves show, the increase in d-dimer results is consistent with inflammation rather than a prognostic biomarker. As expected, severe respiratory distress patients presented higher mortality. In summary, d-dimer results are not associated with the prognosis of C19 respiratory distress syndrome patients.

Metacarpal fractures treatment: comparasion between kirschner wire and intramedullary screw / Tratamento de fraturas metacarpais: comparação entre fios de kirschner e fixação intramedular

ABSTRACT Introduction: Metacarpal fractures are common and can be treated surgically using Kirschner wires (K-wires) or intramedullary fixation with compression screws (IMCS). Objectives: Analyze the postsurgical results from treating the metacarpal extra-articular fractures through the retrograde Kirschner wire technique, and compare it with the intramedullary compression screw fixation. Methods: Retrospective and quantitative studies were to analyze patients' medical records, and a postsurgical evaluation questionnaire was given to the patients, who were divided into K-wire and IMCS. Results: The period of immobilization with a splint took six weeks for the K-wire group and four weeks for the IMCS group. The average time for consolidation took, respectively, fifty-seven days and forty-seven days. The first group could restart their activities twenty-two days after the other, and the average force value of the treated hand, when compared with its contralateral, was 93.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Between the operated hand and its contralateral, there was a difference of 16° in the total measures of the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint's range of movement among the K-wire group and 5° among the IMCS group. Conclusion: The patients who participated in this study showed excellent results after surgery, and both treatments were proven to be safe and reliable. Evidence level III; Retrospective comparative study .

RESUMO Introdução: Fraturas dos metacarpos são frequentes e podem ser tratadas de forma cirúrgica com os fios de Kirschner (FK) e Fixação Intramedular com Parafuso de Compressão (FIPC). Objetivo: Analisar os resultados pós-operatórios do tratamento das fraturas extra-articulares dos metacarpos pela técnica retrógrada com fios de Kirschner e comparar com a fixação intramedular utilizando parafuso de compressão. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, quantitativo, com análise de prontuários, utilizando questionários de avaliação pós-operatória em dez pacientes divididos em dois grupos: FIPC e FK. Resultados: O período de imobilização com tala nos grupos FK e FIPC foram de seis e quatro semanas respectivamente, já o tempo médio para consolidação foi de 57 e 47 dias respectivamente. O grupo FK retornou as atividades laborais após os FIPC. O valor médio de força na mão acometida comparada a contralateral foi de 93,9% no grupo FK, e no FIPC de 95,4%. Medidas da soma de amplitude de movimento das articulações metacarpofalangeanas e interfalangeanas no grupo FK obtiveram diferença média entre as mãos operada e a contralateral de 16°, já na FIPC observou-se 5°. Conclusão: Os pacientes estudados apresentaram excelentes resultados pós-operatórios e ambos os tratamentos provam ser seguros e confiáveis. Nível de evidência III; Estudo retrospectivo comparativo .