Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability: A Case Series.

The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) approach may be an effective treatment for joint and cartilage pathologies. However, the rationale for its effectiveness on joint instability is limited. This study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of PRP injections in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). This retrospective study was performed at a single-center outpatient clinic between January 2015 and February 2023 and included pre-intervention assessment and short-term follow-up. Patients were excluded if they had received previous surgical treatment or had constitutional hyperlaxity, systemic diseases, or grade II or III osteoarthritis. The clinical and functional evaluation consisted of the Karlsson score, the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), Good's grading system, the patient's subjective satisfaction level, and the time required to return to exercise. The entire PRP therapy regime consisted of three PRP administrations at 7-day intervals and follow-up appointments. PRP was administered both intraarticularly and into talofibular ligaments. A total of 47 consecutive patients with CLAI were included, 11 were female (23.4%), with a mean age at intervention of 31.19 ± 9.74 years. A statistically significant improvement was found in the CAIT and Karlsson scores at 3 months (27.74 ± 1.68 and 96.45 ± 4.28, respectively) relative to the pre-intervention status (10.26 ± 4.33 and 42.26 ± 14.9, respectively, p < 0.000). The mean follow-up of patients with CLAI was 17.94 ± 3.25 weeks. This study represents successful short-term functional and clinical outcomes in patients with CLAI after PRP treatment, with no adverse effects. It demonstrates the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial to further assess this therapy.

Concordance between vessel-specific and vascular territory coronary functional assessment: A comparison of quantitative flow ratio and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) are utilized for assessing coronary artery disease (CAD) significance. We aimed to analyze their concordance and prognostic impact. AIMS: We aimed to analyze the concordance between QFR and MPS and their risk stratification. METHODS: Patients with invasive coronary angiography and MPS were categorized as concordant if QFR ≤ 0.80 and summed difference score (SDS) ≥ 4 or if QFR > 0.80 and SDS < 4; otherwise, they were discordant. Concordance was classified by coronary territory involvement: total (three territories), partial (two territories), poor (one territory), and total discordance (zero territories). Leaman score assessed coronary atherosclerotic burden. RESULTS: 2010 coronary territories (670 patients) underwent joint QFR and MPS analysis. MPS area under the curve for QFR ≤ 0.80 was 0.637. Concordance rates were total (52.5%), partial (29.1%), poor (15.8%), and total discordance (2.6%). Most concordance occurred in patients without significant CAD or with single-vessel disease (89.5%), particularly without MPS perfusion defects (91.5%). Leaman score (odds ratio [OR]: 0.839, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.805-0.875, p < 0.001) and MPS perfusion defect (summed stress score [SSS] ≥ 4) (OR: 0.355, 95% CI: 0.211-0.596, p < 0.001) were independent predictors for discordance. After 1400 days, no significant difference in death/myocardial infarction was observed based on MPS assessment, but Leaman score, functional Leaman score, and average QFR identified higher risk patients. CONCLUSIONS: MPS showed good overall accuracy in assessing QFR significance but substantial discordance existed. Predictors for discordance included higher atherosclerotic burden and MPS perfusion defects (SSS ≥ 4). Leaman score, QFR-based functional Leaman score, and average QFR provided better risk stratification for all-cause death and myocardial infarction than MPS.

A National Study of Expedited Partner Therapy Use in Emergency Departments: A Survey of Medical Director Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices.

BACKGROUND: Emergency departments (EDs) are the primary source of health care for many patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Expedited partner therapy (EPT), treating the partner of patients with STIs, is an evidence-based practice for patients who might not otherwise seek care. Little is known about the use of EPT in the ED. In a national survey, we describe ED medical directors' knowledge, attitudes, and practices of EPT. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of medical directors from academic EDs was conducted from July to September 2020 using the Academy of Academic Administrators of Emergency Medicine Benchmarking Group. Primary outcomes were EPT awareness, support, and use. The survey also examined barriers and facilitators. RESULTS: Forty-eight of 70 medical directors (69%) responded. Seventy-three percent were aware of EPT, but fewer knew how to prescribe it (38%), and only 19% of EDs had implemented EPT. Seventy-nine percent supported EPT and were more likely to if they were aware of EPT (89% vs. 54%; P = 0.01). Of nonimplementers, 41% thought EPT was feasible, and 56% thought departmental support would be likely. Emergency department directors were most concerned about legal liability, but a large proportion (44%) viewed preventing sequelae of untreated STIs as "extremely important." CONCLUSIONS: Emergency department medical directors expressed strong support for EPT and reasonable levels of feasibility for implementation but low utilization. Our findings highlight the need to identify mechanisms for EPT implementation in EDs.

Historia de los Servicios de Salud Penitenciarios en Costa Rica / History of Prison Health Services in Costa Rica

La historia de los servicios médicos penitenciarios se remonta hace aproximadamente medio siglo, en la extinta Penitenciaria Nacional, donde al igual que, durante mucho tiempo estuvo a cargo de personeros de la Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS). No es, hasta que al finalizar la década de los 80's, con el cierre del centro penal ubicado en la Isla San Lucas, se logra concretar la creación de plazas de salud propias del Ministerio de Justicia y Paz (MJP). En 1993 se logra el primer convenio interinstitucional entre la CCSS y el MJP, actualizado en 1998, el cual aún se encuentra refrendado por la Procuraduría General de la República. Actualmente, el MJP cuenta con 87 plazas asignas a puestos relacionados con servicios de salud a lo largo y ancho del territorio costarricense.

The history of prison medical services goes back approximately half a century, in the now extinct National Penitentiary, where, for a long time, it was in charge of representatives of CCSS. It is not, until at the end of the 80's, with the closure of the penal center located on San Lucas Island, the creation of health centers belonging to the Ministerio de Justicia y Paz (MJP) is achieved. In 1993, the first inter-institutional agreement between the CCSS and the MJP was reached, updated in 1998, which is still endorsed by the Attorney General's Office. Currently, the MJP has 87 positions assigned to positions related to health services throughout the Costa Rican territory.

Prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles en las personas privadas de la libertad en Costa Rica / Prevalence of chronic noncommunicable diseases in persons deprived of liberty in Costa Rica

Mediante un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y de corte transversal se realiza una comparación entre la población penal de la Unidad de Atención Integral (UAI) 20 de diciembre y la población penal total costarricense. Hasta no hace mucho tiempo, en el ámbito penitenciario se ha experimentado un cambio importante en la morbimortalidad de las personas privadas de la libertad, pasando de un modelo casi unicausal de origen infeccioso, a procesos de etiología múltiple, con desarrollo poco predecible y alto porcentaje del gasto público sanitario. En el siguiente estudio se determina la similitud existente en prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas no trasmisibles tanto a nivel país, sistema penitenciario nacional y UAI 20 de diciembre.

Through a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study, a comparison is made between the prison population of the Unidad de Atención Integral (UAI) 20 de diciembre and the total Costa Rican prison population. Until recently, there has been an important change in the morbimortality of persons deprived of liberty in the penitentiary environment, going from an almost unicausal model of infectious origin, to processes of multiple etiology, with little predictable development and a high percentage of public health expenditure. The following study determines the existing similarity in the prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases at the country level, the national prison system and the UAI December 20.

Description of a Swine Infant Model of Volume-Controlled Hemorrhagic Shock.

Hemorrhagic shock is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients. Interpretation of the clinical indicators validated in adults to guide resuscitation and comparison between different therapies is difficult in children due to the inherent heterogeneity of this population. As a result, compared to adults, appropriate management of pediatric hemorrhagic shock is still not well established. In addition, the scarcity of pediatric patients with hemorrhagic shock precludes the development of clinically relevant studies. For this reason, an experimental pediatric animal model is necessary to study the effects of hemorrhage in children as well as their response to different therapies. We present an infant animal model of volume-controlled hemorrhagic shock in anesthetized young pigs. Hemorrhage is induced by withdrawing a previously calculated blood volume, and the pig is subsequently monitored and resuscitated with different therapies. Here, we describe a precise and highly reproducible model of hemorrhagic shock in immature swine. The model yields hemodynamic data that characterizes compensatory mechanisms that are activated in response to severe hemorrhage.

Characteristics and management of patients with SARS-CoV2 infection admitted to pediatric intensive care units: Data analysis of the Spanish national multicenter registry.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to describe the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) disease characteristics and management in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care units (PICU). METHODS: The present study was based on a national multicentric prospective registry including PICU patients with SARS-CoV2 infection or symptoms of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). RESULTS: A total of 298 patients were admitted to 41 different Spanish PICUs. A total of 76% of them were previously healthy. The most frequent manifestation was MIS-C (69.8%). On admission, 59.4% of patients did not have respiratory distress, and only 17.4% needed conventional mechanical ventilation (MV). The need for MV was associated with age (incidence rate ratios [IRR] 1.21, p < .012), pediatric sequential organ failure assessment score (p-SOFA) Score (IRR 1.12, p = .001), and need for transfusion (IRR 4.5, p < .004) in MIS-C patients, and with vasoactive drug use (IRR 2.73, p = .022) and the diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (IRR 2.83, p = .018) in patients admitted for other reasons. During the first day of admission, 56% of patients met shock criteria and 50.7% needed vasoactive drugs. In MIS-C patients, their use was associated with higher p-SOFA score (IRR 1.06, p < .001) and with the diagnosis of shock (IRR 5.78, p < .001). In patients without MIS-C, it was associated with higher p-SOFA score (IRR 1.05, p = .022). The mortality rate was 3%, being lower in MIS-C patients compared to patients admitted for other reasons (0.5% vs. 9.4%, p < .001). It was also lower in previously healthy patients compared to patients with previous comorbidities (0.9% vs. 9.7%, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Severe SARS-CoV2 infection is uncommon in the pediatric population. In our series, respiratory distress was rare, being MIS-C the most frequent cause of PICU admission related to SARS-CoV2. In most cases, the course of the disease was mild except in children with previous diseases.

Detección de ansiedad y depresión en el binomio receptor-donador durante el protocolo de trasplante renal / Anxiety and depression in the recipient-donor binomial during the kidney transplant protocol

ABSTRACT Introduction: Detection of anxiety and depression in the recipient-donor pair (BinRD) during the kidney transplant protocol (KT) is important to establish psychoeducational interventions that help achieve success during and after KT. Objective: To determine the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms in the BinRD during the RT protocol and to identify characteristics and associated factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study, including 174 binomials being evaluated for TR. The Beck Depression Scale (BDI-II) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were applied at the beginning of the RT protocol. Results: Anxiety and depression symptoms were more frequent in recipient candidates than in donors ([anxiety 39% vs 21%] [depression 46% vs 15%]) (p<0.0001). The recipients presented a higher risk of depression (OR=4.770, 95% CI 2.854-7.974, p<0.0001) and anxiety (OR=2.383, 95% CI 1.478-3.841, p<0.001). Undertaking hemodialysis in private units (OR 0.264, 95%CI 0.106-0.662, p=0.004) or being on automated peritoneal dialysis (OR 0.386, 95%CI 0.173-0.862, p=0.020 was associated with less anxiety in recipients. Conclusions: a high frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms in the BinRD, so it is important to offer effective psychological interventions focused especially on the recipient during the donation evaluation process.

RESUMEN Introducción: La detección de ansiedad y depresión en el binomio receptor-donador (BinRD) durante el protocolo de trasplante renal (TR) es importante, para establecer intervenciones psicoeducativas que ayuden a lograr el éxito durante y después del TR. Objetivo: Determinar presencia de síntomas de ansiedad y depresión en el BinRD durante el protocolo de TR e identificar características y factores asociados. Métodos: Estudio transversal, incluye 174 binomios en evaluación para TR. Se aplicó la Escala de Depresión de Beck (BDI-II) y la Escala de Ansiedad y Depresión Hospitalaria (HADS) al inicio del protocolo de TR. Resultados: Síntomas de ansiedad y depresión fueron más frecuentes en candidatos a receptores que en donadores ([ansiedad 39% vs 21%] [depresión 46% vs 15%]) (p<0.0001). Los receptores, presentaron mayor riesgo de depresión (OR=4.770, IC 95% 2.854-7.974, p<0.0001) y ansiedad (OR=2.383, IC 95% 1.478-3.841, p<0.001). Realizarse hemodiálisis en unidades privadas (OR 0.264, IC95% 0.106-0.662, p=0.004) o estar en diálisis peritoneal automatizada (OR 0.386, IC95% 0.173-0.862, p=0.020 se asoció a menor ansiedad en receptores. Conclusiones: Se evidenció una alta frecuencia de síntomas de ansiedad y depresión en el BinRD, por lo que es importante ofrecer intervenciones psicológicas eficaces enfocadas especialmente al receptor durante el proceso de evaluación para la donación.

[Direct medical costs in a cohort of patients with breast cancer]. / Costos médicos directos de la atención médica de pacientes con cáncer de mama.

Background: The economic cost of breast cancer (BC) treatment and the increase in incidence and prevalence challenges the financial stability of any healthcare system. Objective: To determine direct medical costs (DMC) of BC treatment and factors associated with DMC. Material and methods: Partial economic evaluation in a retrospective cohort of 160 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of BC. DMC was considered from the IMSS perspective. Bootstrapping analysis was used to deal with uncertainty and generalized linear model to identify factors associated with DCM. Results: The total average annual cost of BC treatment was $251,018 mexican pesos. In clinical stage I was $116,123, stage II $242,132, stage III $287,946, and stage IV $358,792 pesos. In progression disease, DMC were more elevate ($380,117) vs. without progression ($172,897), (p < 0.0001). In patients who died, DMC were $357,579 mexican pesos compared to those who survived ($218,699) (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The average annual cost of CM treatment was $251,018 pesos. DMCs increase significantly as patients present more advanced stages of the disease. Factors associated with costs were age, stages II, III and the progression of BC.

Introducción: el costo económico del tratamiento de cáncer de mama (CM) y el aumento en su incidencia y prevalencia desafía la estabilidad financiera de cualquier sistema de salud. Objetivo: determinar los costos médicos directos (CMD) del tratamiento de CM y los factores asociados a estos costos. Material y métodos: evaluación económica parcial en una cohorte retrospectiva de 160 pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de CM. Se consideraron CMD desde la perspectiva del IMSS. Se utilizó análisis de bootstrapping para tratar incertidumbre y el modelo lineal generalizado para identificar factores asociados a costos. Resultados: el costo promedio anual (CPA) del tratamiento de CM fue de $ 251,018 pesos. En estadio 1, $ 116,123; estadio II, $ 242,132; estadio III, $ 287,946, y estadio IV, $ 358,792 pesos. El CPA fue mayor en progresión del CM ($ 380,117 frente a no progresión $ 172,897), y en pacientes que fallecieron durante el seguimiento ($ 357,579) frente a aquellas que sobrevivieron ($ 218,699). Conclusiones: el CPA del tratamiento de CM fue de $ 251,018 pesos. Los CMD aumentan significativamente conforme las pacientes presentan estadios más avanzados de la enfermedad. Los factores asociados al CMD fueron edad, estadios II, III y la progresión del CM.

Costos médicos directos de la atención médica de pacientes con cáncer de mama / Direct medical costs in a cohort of patients with breast cancer

Introducción: el costo económico del tratamiento de cáncer de mama (CM) y el aumento en su incidencia y prevalencia desafía la estabilidad financiera de cualquier sistema de salud. Objetivo: determinar los costos médicos directos (CMD) del tratamiento de CM y los factores asociados a estos costos. Material y métodos: evaluación económica parcial en una cohorte retrospectiva de 160 pacientes con diagnóstico conf irmado de CM. Se consideraron CMD desde la perspectiva del IMSS. Se utilizó análisis de bootstrapping para tratar incertidumbre y el modelo lineal generalizado para identificar factores asociados a costos. Resultados: el costo promedio anual (CPA) del tratamiento de CM fue de $ 251,018 pesos. En estadio 1, $ 116,123; estadio II, $ 242,132; estadio III, $ 287,946, y estadio IV, $ 358,792 pesos. El CPA fue mayor en progresión del CM ($ 380,117 frente a no progresión $ 172,897), y en pacientes que fallecieron durante el seguimiento ($ 357,579) frente a aquellas que sobrevivieron ($ 218,699). Conclusiones: el CPA del tratamiento de CM fue de $ 251,018 pesos. Los CMD aumentan significativamente conforme las pacientes presentan estadios más avanzados de la enfermedad. Los factores asociados al CMD fueron edad, estadios II, III y la progresión del CM.

Background: The economic cost of breast cancer (BC) treatment and the increase in incidence and prevalence challenges the financial stability of any healthcare system. Objective: To determine direct medical costs (DMC) of BC treatment and factors associated with DMC. Material and methods: Partial economic evaluation in a retrospective cohort of 160 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of BC. DMC was considered from the IMSS perspective. Bootstrapping analysis was used to deal with uncertainty and generalized linear model to identify factors associated with DCM Results: The total average annual cost of BC treatment was $251,018 mexican pesos. In clinical stage I was $116,123, stage II $242,132, stage III $287,946, and stage IV $358,792 pesos. In progression disease, DMC were more elevate ($380,117) vs. without progression ($172,897), (p < 0.0001). In patients who died, DMC were $357,579 mexican pesos compared to those who survived ($218,699) (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The average annual cost of CM treatment was $251,018 pesos. DMCs increase significantly as patients present more advanced stages of the disease. Factors associated with costs were age, stages II, III and the progression of BC.

Multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing dexamethasone versus placebo in preventing upper airway obstruction after extubation in critically ill children.

To analyze the effectiveness of dexamethasone in preventing upper airway obstruction (UAO) symptoms after extubation and the need of reintubation in critically ill children. Multicenter, prospective, double-blind, randomized, phase IV clinical trial involving five pediatric intensive care units. Children between 1 month and 16 years-of-age intubated for more than 48 h were included. Patients were randomized to receive placebo or dexamethasone 0.25 mg/kg every 6 h, 6-to-12 h prior to extubation (four doses). 48 h follow-up was carried out after extubation. Severity of UAO symptoms (Taussig score, stridor) and reintubation requirement were compared. 147 patients were randomized (10 were excluded), 70 patients received dexamethasone and 67 placebo. No global differences were found in the presence of stridor or moderate-to-severe UAO symptoms (Taussig ≥ 5), but Taussig ≥ 5 was less frequent in patients less than 2 years-of-age treated with steroids (p = 0.014). Median Taussig score was lower in the dexamethasone group 1 h after extubation, p < 0.001. 27 patients required reintubation, 9 due to UAO: 3 (4.3%) in the dexamethasone group and 6 (8.9%) in the placebo group, p = 0.319. In those intubated > 5 days, reintubation due to UAO was higher in the placebo group (2.4% vs. 14.3, p = 0.052). Nebulized epinephrine and budesonide were required more frequently in the placebo group in the first 2 h (p = 0.041) and 1 h (p = 0.02) after extubation, respectively. No relevant side effects were observed. Dexamethasone prior to extubation did not significantly reduce moderate-severe UAO symptoms, except for patients under 2-years of age. Dexamethasone could decrease Taussig score and the need of rescue therapies, as well as reintubation rates in those intubated for more than 5 days.

Potentially effective drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 or MIS-C in children: a systematic review.

The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using potential drugs: remdesivir and glucocorticoid in treating children and adolescents with COVID-19 and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in treating MIS-C. We searched seven databases, three preprint platform, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google from December 1, 2019, to August 5, 2021, to collect evidence of remdesivir, glucocorticoid, and IVIG which were used in children and adolescents with COVID-19 or MIS-C. A total of nine cohort studies and one case series study were included in this systematic review. In terms of remdesivir, the meta-analysis of single-arm cohort studies have shown that after the treatment, 54.7% (95%CI, 10.3 to 99.1%) experienced adverse events, 5.6% (95%CI, 1.2 to 10.1%) died, and 27.0% (95%CI, 0 to 73.0%) needed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or invasive mechanical ventilation. As for glucocorticoids, the results of the meta-analysis showed that the fixed-effect summary odds ratio for the association with mortality was 2.79 (95%CI, 0.13 to 60.87), and the mechanical ventilation rate was 3.12 (95%CI, 0.80 to 12.08) for glucocorticoids compared with the control group. In terms of IVIG, most of the included cohort studies showed that for MIS-C patients with more severe clinical symptoms, IVIG combined with methylprednisolone could achieve better clinical efficacy than IVIG alone. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the current evidence in the included studies is insignificant and of low quality. It is recommended to conduct high-quality randomized controlled trials of remdesivir, glucocorticoids, and IVIG in children and adolescents with COVID-19 or MIS-C to provide substantial evidence for the development of guidelines. WHAT IS KNOWN: • The efficacy and safety of using potential drugs such as remdesivir, glucocorticoid, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in treating children and adolescents with COVID-19/MIS-C are unclear. WHAT IS NEW: • Overall, the current evidence cannot adequately demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of using remdesivir, glucocorticoids, and IVIG in treating children and adolescents with COVID-19 or MIS-C. • We are calling for the publication of high-quality clinical trials and provide substantial evidence for the development of guidelines.

Coronavirus disease 2019 in heart transplant recipients: Risk factors, immunosuppression, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 continues to inflict significant morbidity and mortality, particularly on patients with preexisting health conditions. The clinical course, outcomes, and significance of immunosuppression regimen in heart transplant recipients with COVID-19 remains unclear. METHODS: We included the first 99 heart transplant recipients at participating centers with COVID-19 and followed patients until resolution. We collected baseline information, symptoms, laboratory studies, vital signs, and outcomes for included patients. The association of immunosuppression regimens at baseline with severe disease were compared using logistic regression, adjusting for age and time since transplant. RESULTS: The median age was 60 years, 25% were female, and 44% were white. The median time post-transplant to infection was 5.6 years. Overall, 15% died, 64% required hospital admission, and 7% remained asymptomatic. During the course of illness, only 57% of patients had a fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms were common. Tachypnea, oxygen requirement, elevated creatinine and inflammatory markers were predictive of severe course. Age ≥ 60 was associated with higher risk of death and the use of the combination of calcineurin inhibitor, antimetabolite, and prednisone was associated with more severe disease compared to the combination of calcineurin inhibitor and antimetabolite alone (adjusted OR = 7.3, 95% CI 1.8-36.2). Among hospitalized patients, 30% were treated for secondary infection, acute kidney injury was common and 17% required new renal replacement therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We present the largest study to date of heart transplant patients with COVID-19 showing common atypical presentations and a high case fatality rate of 24% among hospitalized patients and 16% among symptomatic patients.

SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection among Healthcare Workers in Mexico: Case Report and Literature Review.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been multiple questions regarding reinfections associated with SARS-CoV-2. Healthcare workers on duty, due to overexposure in environments where there are more cases of COVID-19, are more prone to become infected by this virus. Here, we report 4 cases that meet the definition of clinical reinfection by SARS-CoV-2, as well as a literature review on this subject; all occurred in healthcare workers in Acapulco Guerrero, Mexico who provide their services in a hospital that cares for patients with COVID-19. The time between the manifestation of the first and second infection for each case was 134, 129, 107 and 82 days, all patients presented symptomatology in both events. The time between remission of the first infection and onset of second infection was 108, 109, 78 and 67 days for each case, while the time to confirmation by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) between infections was 134, 124, 106 and 77 days. In two of the four cases the reinfection resulted in a more severe case, while in the remaining two cases the manifestation of symptoms and complications was similar to that presented in the first infection. Given this scenario, greater care is needed in the management of the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 to protect healthcare workers and the general public from risks and complications caused by a possible reinfection by SARS-CoV-2.

Microcirculatory Changes in Pediatric Patients During Congenital Heart Defect Corrective Surgery.

A prospective, observational single-center study was carried out. Pediatric patients undergoing congenital heart defect surgery were evaluated before, during, and after surgery. At each time point, sublingual microcirculation and clinical parameters were assessed, along with analytical variables. Twenty-four patients were included. All microcirculatory parameters worsened during cardiopulmonary bypass and returned to baseline values after surgery (p ≤ 0.001). In the intraoperative evaluation, body temperature correlated with perfused small vessel density (p = 0.014), proportion of perfused small vessels (p < 0.001), small vessel microvascular flow index (p = 0.003), and small vessel heterogeneity index (p < 0.002). Patients with cyanotic disease exhibited higher small vessel density (p < 0.008) and higher density of perfused small vessels (p < 0.022) at baseline, and a lower microvascular flow index (p = 0.022) and higher heterogeneity (p = 0.026) in the intraoperative phase. Children with congenital heart disease exhibited decreased vascular density and microvascular blood flow and increased heterogeneity during cardiopulmonary bypass. All these parameters returned to baseline values after surgery.

A comparative two-cohort study of pediatric patients with long term stay in ICUs.

During the last decades, the number of patients with long stay admissions (LSA) in PICU has increased. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with PICU LSA, assessing healthcare resources use and changes in the profile of these patients. A retrospective, observational, single-center study was carried out. Characteristics of LSA were compared between two periods (2006-2010 and 2011-2015). During the earlier period there were 2,118 admissions (3.9% of them LSA), whereas during the second period, there were 1,763 (5.4% of them LSA) (p = 0.025). LSA accounted for 33.7% PICU stay days during the first period and 46.7% during the second (p < 0.001). Higher use of non-invasive ventilation (80.2% vs. 37.8%, p = 0.001) and high-flow oxygen therapy (68.8% vs. 37.8%, p = 0.005) was observed in the 2011-2015 cohort, whereas the use of arterial catheter (77.1% vs. 92.6%, p = 0.005), continuous infusion of adrenaline (55.2% vs. 75.9%, p = 0.004), and hemoderivative transfusion (74% vs. 89.2%, p = 0.010) was less frequent. In the 2006-2010 cohort, hospital-acquired infections were more common (95.2% vs. 68.8%, p < 0.001) and mortality was higher (26.8% vs. 13.8%, p = 0.026). The number of long-stay PICU admissions have increased entailing an intensive use of healthcare resources. These patients have a high risk for complications and mortality.

[Ultrasound-guided cannulation or by pulse palpation in the intensive care unit]. / Canalización arterial ecoguiada o por palpación del pulso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound (US) guidance increases the success rate and decreases complications during central venous catheterisation (CVC). The benefits of US guidance in arterial catheterisation are less clear. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of US-guided arterial catheterisation with the traditional landmark (LM) technique in critically ill children. METHODS: A prospective multicentre study was carried out in 18 Paediatric Intensive Care units in Spain during a 6-months period. Ultrasound guided and landmark techniques were compared in terms of cannulation technical success and immediate mechanical complications. RESULTS: A total of 161 procedures were performed on 128 patients (78 procedures in the US group and 83 in the LM groups). The median (interquartile range) age and weight of the cohort was 11months (2-52), and 10kg (4-17), respectively. More than half (59.6%) were male. US was used mainly in big (number of beds 11 [8-16] vs 6 [4-10], p < 0,001) and high complexity intensive care units (cardiac surgery program 76.9% vs. 25.6%, P<.001) as well as in smaller children [weight 5.7kg (3.8-13) vs 11.5kg (4.9-22.7), P<.001]. Almost half (49.7%) of the procedures were performed by an inexperienced operator (paediatric resident, or staff with less than 5years of clinical experience in the PICU), and only 24.4% had performed more than 50 US-guided vascular access procedures before the study. There were no significant differences between US and LM techniques in terms of first-attempt success (35.8% vs 33.7%, P=.773), overall success (75.6% vs 71.1%, P=.514), number of puncture attempts [2 (1-4) vs 2 (1-3), P=.667] and complications (16.6% vs 25.6%, P=.243). Adjustment by potential confounders using multivariate regression models did not modify these results. Subgroup analyses showed that US outperformed LM technique in terms of overall success (83.7% vs 62.7%, P=.036) and complications (10,8% vs 32.5%, P=.020) only when procedures where performed by less-experienced operators. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective observational multicentre study, US did not improve arterial cannulation outcomes compared to the traditional LM technique in critically ill children. US-guided arterial cannulation may offer advantages when cannulation is performed by inexperienced operators.

Severe manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 in children and adolescents: from COVID-19 pneumonia to multisystem inflammatory syndrome: a multicentre study in pediatric intensive care units in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (MIS-C) has been described as a novel and often severe presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. We aimed to describe the characteristics of children admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) presenting with MIS-C in comparison with those admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infection with other features such as COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: A multicentric prospective national registry including 47 PICUs was carried out. Data from children admitted with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection or fulfilling MIS-C criteria (with or without SARS-CoV-2 PCR confirmation) were collected. Clinical, laboratory and therapeutic features between MIS-C and non-MIS-C patients were compared. RESULTS: Seventy-four children were recruited. Sixty-one percent met MIS-C definition. MIS-C patients were older than non-MIS-C patients (p = 0.002): 9.4 years (IQR 5.5-11.8) vs 3.4 years (IQR 0.4-9.4). A higher proportion of them had no previous medical history of interest (88.2% vs 51.7%, p = 0.005). Non-MIS-C patients presented more frequently with respiratory distress (60.7% vs 13.3%, p < 0.001). MIS-C patients showed higher prevalence of fever (95.6% vs 64.3%, p < 0.001), diarrhea (66.7% vs 11.5%, p < 0.001), vomits (71.1% vs 23.1%, p = 0.001), fatigue (65.9% vs 36%, p = 0.016), shock (84.4% vs 13.8%, p < 0.001) and cardiac dysfunction (53.3% vs 10.3%, p = 0.001). MIS-C group had a lower lymphocyte count (p < 0.001) and LDH (p = 0.001) but higher neutrophil count (p = 0.045), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (p < 0.001) and procalcitonin (p < 0.001). Patients in the MIS-C group were less likely to receive invasive ventilation (13.3% vs 41.4%, p = 0.005) but were more often treated with vasoactive drugs (66.7% vs 24.1%, p < 0.001), corticosteroids (80% vs 44.8%, p = 0.003) and immunoglobulins (51.1% vs 6.9%, p < 0.001). Most patients were discharged from PICU by the end of data collection with a median length of stay of 5 days (IQR 2.5-8 days) in the MIS-C group. Three patients died, none of them belonged to the MIS-C group. CONCLUSIONS: MIS-C seems to be the most frequent presentation among critically ill children with SARS-CoV-2 infection. MIS-C patients are older and usually healthy. They show a higher prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and shock and are more likely to receive vasoactive drugs and immunomodulators and less likely to need mechanical ventilation than non-MIS-C patients.