Differences in lung function between major race/ethnicity groups following hospitalization with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Ethnic minorities have higher rates of infection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 compared to White Americans. RESEARCH QUESTION: Is race/ethnicity an independent predictor of lung dysfunction following hospitalization with COVID-19? STUDY DESIGN: and Methods: Patients hospitalized at the University of Virginia Medical Center with COVID-19 underwent a questionnaire within 30 days following discharge. Those who had persistent respiratory symptoms were invited to complete spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide. 128 completed pulmonary function testing at 6 months. RESULTS: Impairments in lung function were present in spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide at 6 months. The most prevalent impairments were noted in FVC (24.4%), FEV1 (20.5%), TLC (23.3%), and DLCO (20.8%). When compared between race/ethnicity groups three lung function parameters demonstrated statistically significant difference, including FEV1/FVC (p = 0.021), RV/TLC (p = 0.006) and DLCO % predicted (p = 0.002). The average difference between Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black patients with respect to DLCO % predicted was 13.09 (p = 0.01) and the average difference between non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black patients was 9.46 (p = 0.04). Differences persisted when controlling for age, BMI, smoking status, history of chronic lung disease, ICU admission, treatment with corticosteroids, and socioeconomic status. INTERPRETATION: Long-term impairments in lung function following COVID-19 are common, occurring in roughly 22% of patients and across all three major domains of lung function. Non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity was associated with a statistically significant lower DLCO % predicted when compared to non-Hispanic White and Hispanic patients.

Outcomes following the use of angiotensin II in patients with postoperative vasoplegic syndrome: A case series.

Catecholamine-resistant postoperative vasoplegic syndrome (PVS) lacks effective treatment modalities. Synthetic angiotensin II was recently approved for the treatment of vasodilatory shock; however, its use in PVS is not well described. We report outcomes in six patients receiving angiotensin II for the treatment of isolated PVS. All patients achieved their MAP goal and the majority showed improvement in lactate and background catecholamine dose; however, variables of perfusion changed discordantly. Three of six patients survived to hospital discharge.

Transfusion with Cryoprecipitate for Very Low Fibrinogen Levels Does Not Affect Bleeding or Survival in Critically Ill Cirrhosis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Fibrinogen (FIB) levels less than 150 mg/dL have been associated with increased rates of bleeding and lower survival in critically ill cirrhosis patients. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine if treatment with cryoprecipitate (CRYO) for low FIB levels is associated with bleeding outcomes or survival. METHODS: A total of 237 cirrhosis patients admitted to an intensive care unit at a tertiary care liver transplant center with initial FIB levels less than 150 mg/dL were retrospectively assessed for CRYO transfusion, bleeding events, and survival outcomes. RESULTS: The mean MELD score was 27.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.0-28.3) and CLIF-C acute on chronic liver failure score was 53.4 (51.9-54.8). Ninety-nine (41.8%) were admitted for acute bleeding and the remainder were admitted for nonbleeding illnesses. FIB level on admission correlated strongly with disease severity. After adjusting for disease severity, FIB on admission was not an independent predictor of 30-day survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99-1.01, p = 0.68). CRYO transfusion increased FIB levels but had no independent effect on mortality or bleeding complications (HR: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.72-1.70, p = 0.65). CONCLUSION: In cirrhosis patients with critical illness, low FIB levels on presentation reflect severity of illness but are not independently associated with 30-day mortality. Treatment of low FIB with CRYO also does not affect survival or bleeding complications, suggesting FIB is an additional marker of severity of illness but is not itself a direct factor in the pathophysiology of bleeding in critically ill cirrhosis patients.