NKG2A Expression among CD8 Cells Is Associated with COVID-19 Progression in Hypertensive Patients: Insights from the BRACE CORONA Randomized Trial.

Cardiovascular comorbidities and immune-response dysregulation are associated with COVID-19 severity. We aimed to explore the key immune cell profile and understand its association with disease progression in 156 patients with hypertension that were hospitalized due to COVID-19. The primary outcome was progression to severe disease. The probability of progression to severe disease was estimated using a logistic regression model that included clinical variables and immune cell subsets associated with the primary outcome. Obesity; diabetes; oxygen saturation; lung involvement on computed tomography (CT) examination; the C-reactive protein concentration; total lymphocyte count; proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells; CD4/CD8 ratio; CD8+ HLA-DR MFI; and CD8+ NKG2A MFI on admission were all associated with progression to severe COVID-19. This study demonstrated that increased CD8+ NKG2A MFI at hospital admission, in combination with some clinical variables, is associated with a high risk of COVID-19 progression in hypertensive patients. These findings reinforce the hypothesis of the functional exhaustion of T cells with the increased expression of NKG2A in patients with severe COVID-19, elucidating how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection may break down the innate antiviral immune response at an early stage of the disease, with future potential therapeutic implications.

IL-10 and IL-12 (P70) Levels Predict the Risk of Covid-19 Progression in Hypertensive Patients: Insights From the BRACE-CORONA Trial.

Background: Cardiovascular comorbidities such as hypertension and inflammatory response dysregulation are associated with worse COVID-19 prognoses. Different cytokines have been proposed to play vital pathophysiological roles in COVID-19 progression, but appropriate prognostic biomarkers remain lacking. We hypothesized that the combination of immunological and clinical variables at admission could predict the clinical progression of COVID-19 in hypertensive patients. Methods: The levels of biomarkers, including C-reactive protein, lymphocytes, monocytes, and a panel of 29 cytokines, were measured in blood samples from 167 hypertensive patients included in the BRACE-CORONA trial. The primary outcome was the highest score during hospitalization on the modified WHO Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement. The probability of progression to severe disease was estimated using a logistic regression model that included clinical variables and biomarkers associated significantly with the primary outcome. Results: During hospitalization, 13 (7.8%) patients showed progression to more severe forms of COVID-19, including three deaths. Obesity, diabetes, oxygen saturation, lung involvement on computed tomography examination, the C-reactive protein level, levels of 15 cytokines, and lymphopenia on admission were associated with progression to severe COVID-19. Elevated levels of interleukin-10 and interleukin-12 (p70) combined with two or three of the abovementioned clinical comorbidities were associated strongly with progression to severe COVID-19. The risk of progression to severe disease reached 97.5% in the presence of the five variables included in our model. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that interleukin-10 and interleukin-12 (p70) levels, in combination with clinical variables, at hospital admission are key biomarkers associated with an increased risk of disease progression in hypertensive patients with COVID-19.

Effect of Discontinuing vs Continuing Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers on Days Alive and Out of the Hospital in Patients Admitted With COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: It is unknown whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have a positive, neutral, or negative effect on clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: To determine whether discontinuation compared with continuation of ACEIs or ARBs changed the number of days alive and out of the hospital through 30 days. Design, Setting, and Participants: A randomized clinical trial of 659 patients hospitalized in Brazil with mild to moderate COVID-19 who were taking ACEIs or ARBs prior to hospitalization (enrolled: April 9-June 26, 2020; final follow-up: July 26, 2020). Interventions: Discontinuation (n = 334) or continuation (n = 325) of ACEIs or ARBs. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the number of days alive and out of the hospital through 30 days. Secondary outcomes included death, cardiovascular death, and COVID-19 progression. Results: Among 659 patients, the median age was 55.1 years (interquartile range [IQR], 46.1-65.0 years), 14.7% were aged 70 years or older, 40.4% were women, and 100% completed the trial. The median time from symptom onset to hospital admission was 6 days (IQR, 4-9 days) and 27.2% of patients had an oxygen saturation of less than 94% of room air at baseline. In terms of clinical severity, 57.1% of patients were considered mild at hospital admission and 42.9% were considered moderate. There was no significant difference in the number of days alive and out of the hospital in patients in the discontinuation group (mean, 21.9 days [SD, 8 days]) vs patients in the continuation group (mean, 22.9 days [SD, 7.1 days]) and the mean ratio was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.90-1.01). There also was no statistically significant difference in death (2.7% for the discontinuation group vs 2.8% for the continuation group; odds ratio [OR], 0.97 [95% CI, 0.38-2.52]), cardiovascular death (0.6% vs 0.3%, respectively; OR, 1.95 [95% CI, 0.19-42.12]), or COVID-19 progression (38.3% vs 32.3%; OR, 1.30 [95% CI, 0.95-1.80]). The most common adverse events were respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (9.6% in the discontinuation group vs 7.7% in the continuation group), shock requiring vasopressors (8.4% vs 7.1%, respectively), acute myocardial infarction (7.5% vs 4.6%), new or worsening heart failure (4.2% vs 4.9%), and acute kidney failure requiring hemodialysis (3.3% vs 2.8%). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients hospitalized with mild to moderate COVID-19 and who were taking ACEIs or ARBs before hospital admission, there was no significant difference in the mean number of days alive and out of the hospital for those assigned to discontinue vs continue these medications. These findings do not support routinely discontinuing ACEIs or ARBs among patients hospitalized with mild to moderate COVID-19 if there is an indication for treatment. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04364893.

Características eletrocardiográficas do gênero feminino / Electrocardiographic features female

As diferenças entre os gêneros também se manifestam nos traçados eletrocardiográficos. Essas particularidades se expressam desde alterações sutis no eletrocardiograma normal, com características próprias das ondas, desde o nascimento até além da idade adulta. Peculiaridades do gênero, como gestação e climatério, também influenciam o traçado eletrocardiográfico. Tais mudanças hormonais vão se expressar inclusive na presença de eletrocardiogramas patológicos, como no infarto agudo do miocárdio, nas arritmias e nas valvopatias, tornando especial o eletrocardiograma da mulher, cuja interpretação é, muitas vezes, um desafio...

Vacinação contra influenza e pneumococo na insuficiência cardíaca: uma recomendação pouco aplicada / Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in heart failure: a little applied recommendation / Vacunación contra influenza y neumococo en la insuficiencia cardíaca: una recomendación poco aplicada

FUNDAMENTO: A insuficiência cardíaca (IC) cursa com frequentes descompensações e admissões ao serviço de emergência. Vacinação contra Influenza (INF) e Pneumococo (PNM) são recomendadas nas diretrizes, entretanto, as infecções respiratórias são a terceira causa de hospitalização na IC. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a frequência da vacinação contra INF e PNM em pacientes com IC na rede pública. MÉTODOS: Em estudo observacional realizado em Teresópolis, região serrana fluminense, foram utilizadas três estratégias: (I) estudo das requisições para vacina contra INF e/ou PNM na Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, entre 2004 e 2006; (II) inquérito direto a 61 pacientes com IC atendidos na atenção básica sobre sua situação vacinal contra INF e PNM; (III) inquérito direto sobre situação vacinal contra INF e PNM a 81 pacientes com IC crônica descompensada atendidos na única emergência aberta à rede pública. RESULTADOS: Na estratégia I, a vacinação contra INF e/ou PNM foi de 15,3 por cento daqueles com indicações por doenças cardiovasculares e respiratórias. A mediana do tempo entre a indicação e a vacinação foi de 32 dias. Na estratégia II, o percentual de vacinados contra INF, com idade > 60 anos, foi de 23,1 por cento, e de 24,6 por cento contra PMN em todas as idades. Na estratégia III, o percentual de pacientes vacinados contra INF foi de 35,8 por cento e contra PNM foi de 2,5 por cento. CONCLUSÃO: A taxa de vacinação contra INF e PNM em pacientes com IC é muito baixa e ainda menor naqueles descompensados atendidos em serviço de emergência.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is associated with frequent decompensation and admissions to the emergency service. Influenza (INF) and Pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccinations are recommended in the guidelines, however, respiratory infections are the third leading cause of hospitalization in heart failure. OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of vaccination against INF and PNM in patients with HF in government healthcare units. METHODS: An observational study carried out in Teresópolis, a mountain region in Rio de Janeiro, employed three strategies: (I) study of requests for vaccine against INF and/or PNM in the Health Department of Teresópolis between 2004 and 2006; (II) direct inquiry to 61 patients with heart failure treated in primary care about their vaccination status against INF and PNM; (III) direct inquiry about their vaccination status against INF and PNM to 81 patients with decompensated chronic heart failure treated in the only emergency service open to the public. RESULTS: In strategy I, INF and/or PNM vaccination was 15.3 percent of those with indications for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The median time between indication and vaccination was 32 days. In strategy II, the percentage of patients vaccinated against INF, aged > 60, was 23.1 percent and 24.6 percent against PMN at all ages. In strategy III, the percentage of patients vaccinated against INF was 35.8 percent and against PNM was 2.5 percent. CONCLUSION: The rate of vaccination against INF and PNM in patients with HF is very low and even lower in those with decompensated HF treated in emergency services.

FUNDAMENTO: La insuficiencia cardíaca (IC) cursa con frecuentes descompensaciones y admisiones al servicio de emergencia. Vacunación contra Influenza (INF) y Neumococo (PNM) son recomendadas en las directrices, entre tanto, las infecciones respiratorias son la tercera causa de hospitalización en la IC. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la frecuencia de la vacunación contra INF y PNM en pacientes con IC en la red pública. MÉTODOS: En estudio observacional realizado en Teresópolis, región serrana fluminense, fueron utilizadas tres estrategias: (I) estudio de las requisiciones para vacuna contra INF y/o PNM en la Secretaría Municipal de Salud, entre 2004 y 2006; (II) averiguación directa a 61 pacientes con IC atendidos en la atención básica sobre su situación de vacuna contra INF y PNM; (III) averiguación directa sobre situación de vacuna contra INF y PNM a 81 pacientes con IC crónica descompensada atendidos en la única emergencia abierta a la red pública. RESULTADOS: En la estrategia I, la vacunación contra INF y/o PNM fue de 15,3 por ciento de aquellos con indicaciones por enfermedades cardiovasculares y respiratorias. La mediana del tiempo entre la indicación y la vacunación fue de 32 días. En la estrategia II, el porcentual de vacunados contra INF, con edad > 60 años, fue de 23,1 por ciento, y de 24,6 por ciento contra PMN en todas las edades. En la estrategia III, el porcentual de pacientes vacunados contra INF fue de 35,8 por ciento y contra PNM fue de 2,5 por ciento. CONCLUSIÓN: La tasa de vacunación contra INF y PNM en pacientes con IC es muy baja y aun menor en aquellos descompensados atendidos en servicio de emergencia.

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in heart failure: a little applied recommendation.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is associated with frequent decompensation and admissions to the emergency service. Influenza (INF) and Pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccinations are recommended in the guidelines, however, respiratory infections are the third leading cause of hospitalization in heart failure. OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of vaccination against INF and PNM in patients with HF in government healthcare units. METHODS: An observational study carried out in Teresópolis, a mountain region in Rio de Janeiro, employed three strategies: (I) study of requests for vaccine against INF and/or PNM in the Health Department of Teresópolis between 2004 and 2006; (II) direct inquiry to 61 patients with heart failure treated in primary care about their vaccination status against INF and PNM; (III) direct inquiry about their vaccination status against INF and PNM to 81 patients with decompensated chronic heart failure treated in the only emergency service open to the public. RESULTS: In strategy I, INF and/or PNM vaccination was 15.3% of those with indications for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The median time between indication and vaccination was 32 days. In strategy II, the percentage of patients vaccinated against INF, aged > 60, was 23.1% and 24.6% against PMN at all ages. In strategy III, the percentage of patients vaccinated against INF was 35.8% and against PNM was 2.5%. CONCLUSION: The rate of vaccination against INF and PNM in patients with HF is very low and even lower in those with decompensated HF treated in emergency services.