Clinical evolution and mortality of critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia treated with remdesivir in an adult intensive care unit of Paraguay.

BACKGROUND: The health crisis due to Covid-19 led to the search for therapeutics that could improve the evolution of the disease. Remdesivir, an antiviral that interferes with viral replication, was one of the first to be used for the treatment of this pathology. OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical course and mortality of patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia treated with remdesivir, in comparison of those who didn't receive the medication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, with medical records review of COVID-19 patients, between August 2020 and August 2021. The subjects were divided into two groups, those who received remdesivir before or after admission to intensive care and those who didn't. The primary outcome variable was mortality in intensive care. RESULTS: Of 214 subjects included, 109 (50,9%) received remdesivir. The median of days for the drug administration was 8 (2-20), IQR: 3. The bivariate analysis prove that the use of remdesivir was related with lower risk of develop Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) (p = 0,019; OR: 0,521) and lower requirement of mechanical ventilation (p = 0,006; OR:0,450). Additionally, patients treated with remdesivir develop less kidney injury (p = 0,009; OR: 0,441). There was a total of 82 deaths, 29 (26,6%) in the remdesivir group and 53 (50,5%) in the control group [p < 0,001; OR: 0,356 (0,201-0,630)]. All the risk factors associated with mortality in the bivariate analysis were entered into the multivariate analysis by logistic regression, the use of remdesivir remained associated as an independent protective factor to mortality (p = 0.034; OR: 0.429). CONCLUSION: Critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia treated with remdesivir had a lower risk of death and need for mechanical ventilation and develop less ARDS as compared to the control group. No differences were found in the presentation of adverse effects.

Nutrición enteral en pacientes críticos con COVID-19 ventilados en decúbito prono

Introducción: el SARS-CoV-2 desde el 2020 generó innumerables desafíos. El decúbito prono se utilizó para mejorar la oxigenación, y la terapia nutricional se adaptó para cubrir los requerimientos y reducir complicaciones. Objetivos: evaluar la tolerancia de la nutrición enteral y su adecuación energética en pacientes ventilados en decúbito prono con infección por SARS-CoV-2, en sala respiratoria del Departamento de Cuidados Intensivos Adultos del Hospital de Clínicas-Facultad de Ciencias Médicas - Universidad Nacional de Asunción, de marzo a julio 2021. Metodología: estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo, de corte transversal, de casos consecutivos, con información obtenida de fichas de pacientes de terapia intensiva, que recibieron soporte nutricional en posición prona. Se tomaron datos demográficos, clínicos y nutricionales. Se evaluó la tolerancia nutricional durante la posición prona, definiéndola como la presencia de un volumen de residuo gástrico < 500 mL cada 6 h.. La adecuación energética fue determinada teniendo en cuenta el porcentaje cumplido de la prescripción nutricional. Resultados: se reclutaron 41 pacientes. El 60,9 % eran hombres; la mediana de edad fue 55 años (RIC=23). Las principales comorbilidades fueron obesidad (57,3 %) e hipertensión arterial (43,9 %). El 85,4 % presentó buena tolerancia gástrica en posición prono, con residuo gástrico menor a 500 ml. El porcentaje de adecuación energética fue de 84 %. Conclusión: la terapia nutricional enteral en decúbito prono fue bien tolerada por la mayoría de nuestros pacientes, posibilitando alcanzar los requerimientos nutricionales indicados.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 since 2020 has generated countless challenges. Prone position was used to improve oxygenation, and nutritional therapy was adapted to meet requirements and reduce complications. Objectives: evaluate the tolerance of enteral nutrition and its energetic adequacy in ventilated patients in the prone position with SARS-CoV-2 infection, in the respiratory room of the Adult Intensive Care Department of the Hospital de Clínicas - Facultad de Ciencias Médicas - Universidad Nacional de Asunción, from March to July 2021. Methodology: observational, descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study of consecutive cases, with information obtained from records of intensive care patients, who received nutritional support in a prone position. Demographic, clinical and nutritional data were taken. Nutritional tolerance was evaluated during the prone position, defining it as the presence of a volume of gastric residue < 500 mL every 6 h. Energy adequacy was determined taking into account the percentage fulfilled of the nutritional prescription. Results: 41 patients were recruited. 60.9 % were men; the median age was 55 years (IQR=23). The main comorbidities were obesity (57.3 %) and high blood pressure (43.9 %). 85.4 % had good gastric tolerance in the prone position, with gastric residue less than 500 ml. The percentage of energy adequacy was 84 %. Conclusion: enteral nutritional therapy in the prone position was well tolerated by the majority of our patients, making it possible to achieve the indicated nutritional requirements.

Meningioma Meningotelial cerebeloso complicado con absceso único a Nocardia / Meningioma Meningotelial cerebellar complicated with unique abscess to Nocardia

La presentación de abscesos cerebrales relacionados a meningiomas es muy poco frecuente. Usualmente son causados por bacterias comunes, siendo la Nocardia un agente etiológico excepcional. Presentamos la primera descripción en Paraguay de un absceso cerebral a Nocardia Spp asociado a meningioma en un paciente inmunocomprometido por consumo prolongado de corticoides (dexametasona).

The presentation of cerebral abscesses related to meningiomas is very rare. They are usually caused by common bacteria, nocardia being an exceptional etiological agent. We present the first description in Paraguay of a cerebral abscess to Nocardia spp associated meningioma in an immunocompromised patient for prolonged corticosteroid consumption (dexamethasone).