COVID-19 and pneumothorax: a multicentre retrospective case series.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum have both been noted to complicate cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring hospital admission. We report the largest case series yet described of patients with both these pathologies (including nonventilated patients). METHODS: Cases were collected retrospectively from UK hospitals with inclusion criteria limited to a diagnosis of COVID-19 and the presence of either pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum. Patients included in the study presented between March and June 2020. Details obtained from the medical record included demographics, radiology, laboratory investigations, clinical management and survival. RESULTS: 71 patients from 16 centres were included in the study, of whom 60 had pneumothoraces (six with pneumomediastinum in addition) and 11 had pneumomediastinum alone. Two of these patients had two distinct episodes of pneumothorax, occurring bilaterally in sequential fashion, bringing the total number of pneumothoraces included to 62. Clinical scenarios included patients who had presented to hospital with pneumothorax, patients who had developed pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum during their inpatient admission with COVID-19 and patients who developed their complication while intubated and ventilated, either with or without concurrent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Survival at 28 days was not significantly different following pneumothorax (63.1±6.5%) or isolated pneumomediastinum (53.0±18.7%; p=0.854). The incidence of pneumothorax was higher in males. 28-day survival was not different between the sexes (males 62.5±7.7% versus females 68.4±10.7%; p=0.619). Patients aged ≥70 years had a significantly lower 28-day survival than younger individuals (≥70 years 41.7±13.5% survival versus <70 years 70.9±6.8% survival; p=0.018 log-rank). CONCLUSION: These cases suggest that pneumothorax is a complication of COVID-19. Pneumothorax does not seem to be an independent marker of poor prognosis and we encourage continuation of active treatment where clinically possible.

Safety of intravenous anakinra in COVID-19 with evidence of hyperinflammation, a case series.

OBJECTIVES: Anakinra is a selective IL-1 inhibitor, which has been used in the context of secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Although usually given in the s.c. form, previous anecdotal reports have emphasized its utility when given i.v. Our aim is to report our experience on the beneficial effects of anakinra i.v. in patients with SARS-CoV-2 and evidence of hyperinflammation. METHODS: We report four patients with severe COVID-19 infection requiring intensive care admission and ventilatory support. RESULTS: All four patients showed evidence of deterioration, with hyperferritinaemia and increasing oxygen requirements and with superadded bacterial infections. Upon commencement of anakinra i.v., there was subsequent improvement in the patients clinically, with reduction in ventilatory support and inotropic support, and biochemically, with rapid improvement in inflammatory markers. CONCLUSION: Anakinra is safe to use i.v. in patients with COVID-19 and evidence of superadded bacterial infection. Although its utility has not been confirmed in a randomized trial, current research in the COVID-19 pandemic aims to establish the utility of immunosuppression, including IL-1 blockade, on the outcomes of patients with moderate to severe disease. Our case series supports its use in patients with severe, life-threatening COVID-19 and evidence of hyperinflammation.

Anaemia in patients with chronic liver disease and its association with morbidity and mortality following liver transplantation.

Pre-operative anaemia and the need for intra-operative transfusion have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality following cardiac and major non-cardiac surgery. Anaemia is highly prevalent in patients with severe chronic liver disease. Whether this correlates with an altered morbidity and mortality following liver transplant has not been established. METHODS: Prospectively collected data was analysed for the period 1998-2012. Donor and recipient characteristics, blood profiles and complications were recorded. Graft and patient survival was calculated. All patients were followed up for 1 year or until death. Pre-operative haemoglobin levels were correlated with patient demographics and outcome using a binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Pre-operative anaemia, according to WHO criteria, occurred in 73% of patients. Anaemia was more common with advanced liver disease (higher MELD score). As MELD score increased, Haemoglobin levels dropped. Anaemic patients were more commonly transfused (p < 0.001), spent longer ventilated (7 day vs 5 days, p = 0.005) and required longer ITU stays (8 days vs 6 days, p = 0.015). Pre-operative anaemia did not correlate with patient morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced haemoglobin levels reflect the severity of chronic liver disease but are not an independent risk factor for a poor outcome following liver transplantation.