Incidencia de trombosis venosa profunda en pacientes con síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo secundario a COVID-19, bajo tromboprofilaxis con dosis intermedia de heparina de bajo peso molecular / Deep venous thrombosis incidence in patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome, under intermediate dose of chemical thromboprophylaxis

Resumen A pesar de la tromboprofilaxis estándar, el diagnóstico de trombosis es común en pacientes críticos con COVID-19. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la incidencia de trombosis venosa profunda (TVP) en pacientes con neumonía grave por COVID-19 con requerimientos de asistencia respiratoria mecánica, bajo tromboprofilaxis química con dosis intermedia (1 mg/kg/día) de heparina de bajo peso molecular (enoxaparina). Se trató de un estudio unicéntrico, descriptivo y de corte transversal de datos recopilados en forma prospectiva. Se realizó búsqueda activa y sistemática de TVP en miembros inferiores (o en confluente yúgulosubclavio en su defecto) mediante doppler venoso cada 7 días. Se continuó con la evaluación por doppler semanal hasta la finalización de la ventilación mecánica, el cum plimiento de los 28 días de internación en unidad de cuidados intensivos, el fallecimiento o la suspensión de la tromboprofilaxis con enoxaparina por cualquier causa. Se incluyeron 46 pacientes. Se realizó diagnóstico de TVP en 5 (3 en miembros inferiores y 2 en con fluente yúgulosubclavio). Tres diagnósticos de TVP fueron asociados a la presencia de catéter venoso central (2 en miembros inferiores y 1 en el confluente yúgulosubclavio), dos fallecieron durante el seguimiento por causas vinculadas al síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo (SDRA) pero no por eventos trombóticos o de sangrado mayor. En todos los casos, los eventos trombóticos fueron asintomáticos. En nuestra serie de pacientes con SDRA moderado/grave secundario a neumonía por COVID-19, la incidencia de TVP fue del 10.9% en aquellos bajo tromboprofilaxis con dosis intermedia (1 mg/kg/día) de enoxaparina.

Abstract Despite standard thrombo prophylaxis, venous thrombosis is common in critically ill patients with COVID-19. The objective of this study was to evaluate deep venous thrombosis (DVT) incidence in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia with mechanical ventilation requirements under intermediate dose of chemical thromboprophylaxis (1 mg/kg/day of enoxaparin). This was a single-center, descriptive, cross-sectional study of prospectively collected data. An active and systematic protocol with venous doppler was carried out for DVT diagnosis in lower limbs (or in jugulo-subclavian venous confluence) every 7 days. Weekly doppler evaluation was continued until the end of mechanical ventilation, up to 28 days of intensive care unit admission, until death or until the thromboprophylaxis suspension for any cause. Forty-six patients were included. DVT was diagnosed in 5 (3 in lower limbs and 2 in jugulo-subclavian conflu ent). In 3 cases, DVT was catheter-related (2 in lower limbs and 1 in jugulo-subclavian confluent), 2 died during follow-up due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) complications without thrombotic events or major bleeding. All thrombotic events were asymptomatic. In our series of patients with moderate/severe COVID-19 ARDS, DVT incidence was 10.9% under thromboprophylaxis with intermediate dose (1 mg/kg/ day) of enoxaparin.

[Deep venous thrombosis incidence in patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome, under intermediate dose of chemical thromboprophylaxis]. / Incidencia de trombosis venosa profunda en pacientes con síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo secundario a COVID-19, bajo tromboprofilaxis con dosis intermedia de heparina de bajo peso molecular.

Despite standard thromboprophylaxis, venous thrombosis is common in critically ill patients with COVID-19. The objective of this study was to evaluate deep venous thrombosis (DVT) incidence in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia with mechanical ventilation requirements under intermediate dose of chemical thromboprophylaxis (1 mg/kg/day of enoxaparin). This was a single-center, descriptive, cross-sectional study of prospectively collected data. An active and systematic protocol with venous doppler was carried out for DVT diagnosis in lower limbs (or in jugulo-subclavian venous confluence) every 7 days. Weekly doppler evaluation was continued until the end of mechanical ventilation, up to 28 days of intensive care unit admission, until death or until the thromboprophylaxis suspension for any cause. Forty-six patients were included. DVT was diagnosed in 5 (3 in lower limbs and 2 in jugulo-subclavian confluent). In 3 cases, DVT was catheter-related (2 in lower limbs and 1 in jugulo-subclavian confluent), 2 died during follow-up due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) complications without thrombotic events or major bleeding. All thrombotic events were asymptomatic. In our series of patients with moderate/severe COVID-19 ARDS, DVT incidence was 10.9% under thromboprophylaxis with intermediate dose (1 mg/kg/ day) of enoxaparin.

A pesar de la tromboprofilaxis estándar, el diagnóstico de tromb osis es común en pacientes críticos con COVID-19. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la incidencia de trombosis venosa profunda (TVP) en pacientes con neumonía grave por COVID-19 con requerimientos de asistencia respiratoria mecánica, bajo tromboprofilaxis química con dosis intermedia (1 mg/kg/día) de heparina de bajo peso molecular (enoxaparina). Se trató de un estudio unicéntrico, descriptivo y de corte transversal de datos recopilados en forma prospectiva. Se realizó búsqueda activa y sistemática de TVP en miembros inferiores (o en confluente yúgulosubclavio en su defecto) mediante doppler venoso cada 7 días. Se continuó con la evaluación por doppler semanal hasta la finalización de la ventilación mecánica, el cum plimiento de los 28 días de internación en unidad de cuidados intensivos, el fallecimiento o la suspensión de la tromboprofilaxis con enoxaparina por cualquier causa. Se incluyeron 46 pacientes. Se realizó diagnóstico de TVP en 5 (3 en miembros inferiores y 2 en confluente yúgulosubclavio). Tres diagnósticos de TVP fueron asociados a la presencia de catéter venoso central (2 en miembros inferiores y 1 en el confluente yúgulosubclavio), dos fallecieron durante el seguimiento por causas vinculadas al síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo (SDRA) pero no por eventos trombóticos o de sangrado mayor. En todos los casos, los eventos trombóticos fueron asintomáticos. En nuestra serie de pacientes con SDRA moderado/grave secundario a neumonía por COVID-19, la incidencia de TVP fue del 10.9% en aquellos bajo tromboprofilaxis con dosis intermedia (1 mg/kg/día) de enoxaparina.

Prevalence of Chagas Disease and Associated Factors in an Endemic Area of Northeastern Argentina.

Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, remains one of the leading public health problems in Latin America. The number of infections in nonendemic countries continues to rise as a consequence of migratory flows. Updated information on prevalence, especially in treatable stages, together with vector eradication programs are key factors in an attempt to control the disease. We aim to estimate the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in an endemic area of Argentina and to describe epidemiological and clinical factors related to the disease. This is a cross-sectional study in an endemic rural area of Argentina. Our target population was people between 10 and 20 years of age, collecting demographic, clinical, and electrocardiographic data and seroprevalence against T. cruzi. We included 460 subjects; 76.7% did not have drinking water; 49.3% reported the presence of Triatoma infestans at home; 79.1% had pets or birds; 72.6% lived close to a chicken coop; 24.6% lived in adobe houses; 27.8% lived in overcrowded conditions. Seroprevalence was 9.33%. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of Triatoma infestans at home (OR 2.08, P = 0.03) had an association with seropositivity. No relevant findings indicating acute or chronic organ involvement were detected. We found no correlation of right bundle branch block (RBBB) and Chagas disease in our population. None of the infected patients were previously aware of their condition, highlighting the importance of active surveillance to detect infection in a potentially treatable stage, especially in areas with difficult access to health programs.

Echocardiographic findings in patients under mechanical ventilation with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome / Hallazgos ecocardiográficos en pacientes bajo ventilación mecánica con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda por COVID-19

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) produces a significant burden to severely ill patients affected by acute respiratory failure. The aim of this study was to describe echocardiographic findings in a series of mechanically ventilated patients with moderate and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19. This was a single center, descriptive and cros s-sectional study of prospectively collected data. Patients had severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and moderate or severe ARDS. Initial echocardiogram was performed within 7 days of intensive care unit admission and every 15 days until mechanical ventilation ended, 28 days or death. Time spent by the physician for each study was measured. Multiple echographic measurements were acquired; 33 patients were analyzed. Total number of echocardiograms performed was 76. The median imaging time required to complete a standard study was 13 [10-15] minutes. Chronic structural abnormalities were present in 16 patients (48%), being LV hypertrophy the main finding in 11 patients (33%). The most frequent acute or dynamic finding was RV enlargement (43%) when considering all echocardiograms performed from admission to day 28 of follow-up. Other findings were: pulmonary hypertension (15%), new or dynamic left ventricle (LV) regional wall motion abnormalities (15%), new or dynamic LV global contractility deterioration (6%) and hypercontractility (12%).

Resumen La enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) produce una carga significativa para los pacientes gravemente enfermos afectados por insuficiencia respiratoria aguda. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los hallazgos ecocardiográficos en una serie de pacientes ventilados mecánicamente con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA) moderado y grave debido a COVID-19. Se trata de un estudio unicéntrico, descriptivo y de corte transversal de datos recopilados en forma prospectiva. Los pacientes tenían una infección por el coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 y SDRA moderado o grave. El ecocardiogra ma inicial se realizó dentro de los 7 días del ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos y luego cada 15 días hasta finalizar la ventilación mecánica, 28 días o fallecimiento. Se midió el tiempo empleado por el operador en cada estudio. Se adquirieron múltiples medidas ecográficas. Se analizaron 33 pacientes. El número total de ecocardiogramas realizados fue de 76. El tiempo necesario (mediana [RIQ]) para la obtención de las imágenes de un estudio estándar fue de 13 [10-15] minutos. Las anomalías estructurales crónicas estuvieron presentes en 16 pacientes (48%), siendo la hipertrofia ventricular izquierda la principal (11 pacientes, 33%). El hallazgo agudo o dinámico más frecuente fue el agrandamiento del ventrículo derecho (VD) (43%) al considerar todos los ecocardiogramas realizados desde el ingreso hasta el día 28 de seguimiento. Otros hallazgos fueron: hipertensión pulmonar (15%), anomalías del movimiento de la pared regional del VI nuevas o dinámicas (15%), deterioro de la contractilidad global del ventrículo izquierdo, nuevo o dinámico (6%), e hipercontractilidad (12%).

Echocardiographic findings in patients under mechanical ventilation with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) produces a significant burden to severely ill patients affected by acute respiratory failure. The aim of this study was to describe echocardiographic findings in a series of mechanically ventilated patients with moderate and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19. This was a single center, descriptive and cros s-sectional study of prospectively collected data. Patients had severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and moderate or severe ARDS. Initial echocardiogram was performed within 7 days of intensive care unit admission and every 15 days until mechanical ventilation ended, 28 days or death. Time spent by the physician for each study was measured. Multiple echographic measurements were acquired; 33 patients were analyzed. Total number of echocardiograms performed was 76. The median imaging time required to complete a standard study was 13 [10-15] minutes. Chronic structural abnormalities were present in 16 patients (48%), being LV hypertrophy the main finding in 11 patients (33%). The most frequent acute or dynamic finding was RV enlargement (43%) when considering all echocardiograms performed from admission to day 28 of follow-up. Other findings were: pulmonary hypertension (15%), new or dynamic left ventricle (LV) regional wall motion abnormalities (15%), new or dynamic LV global contractility deterioration (6%) and hypercontractility (12%).

La enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) produce una carga significativa para los pacientes gravemente enfermos afectados por insuficiencia respiratoria aguda. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los hallazgos ecocardiográficos en una serie de pacientes ventilados mecánicamente con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA) moderado y grave debido a COVID-19. Se trata de un estudio unicéntrico, descriptivo y de corte transversal de datos recopilados en forma prospectiva. Los pacientes tenían una infección por el coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 y SDRA moderado o grave. El ecocardiograma inicial se realizó dentro de los 7 días del ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos y luego cada 15 días hasta finalizar la ventilación mecánica, 28 días o fallecimiento. Se midió el tiempo empleado por el operador en cada estudio. Se adquirieron múltiples medidas ecográficas. Se analizaron 33 pacientes. El número total de ecocardiogramas realizados fue de 76. El tiempo necesario (mediana [RIQ]) para la obtención de las imágenes de un estudio estándar fue de 13 [10-15] minutos. Las anomalías estructurales crónicas estuvieron presentes en 16 pacientes (48%), siendo la hipertrofia ventricular izquierda la principal (11 pacientes, 33%). El hallazgo agudo o dinámico más frecuente fue el agrandamiento del ventríc ulo derecho (VD) (43%) al considerar todos los ecocardiogramas realizados desde el ingreso hasta el día 28 de seguimiento. Otros hallazgos fueron: hipertensión pulmonar (15%), anomalías del movimiento de la pared regional del VI nuevas o dinámicas (15%), deterioro de la contractilidad global del ventrículo izquierdo, nuevo o dinámico (6%), e hipercontractilidad (12%).

High- Versus Low-Dose Dexamethasone for the Treatment of COVID-19-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Multicenter, Randomized Open-Label Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether high-dose dexamethasone increases the number of ventilator-free days (VFD) among patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19. DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized, open-label, clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19-related ARDS were enrolled from June 17, 2020, to March 27, 2021, in four intensive care units (ICUs) in Argentina. INTERVENTION: 16 mg of dexamethasone intravenously daily for five days followed by 8 mg of dexamethasone daily for five days or 6 mg of dexamethasone intravenously daily for 10 days. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was ventilator-free days during the first 28 days. The secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality at 28 and 90 days, infection rate, muscle weakness, and glycemic control in the first 28 days. RESULTS: Data from 98 patients who received at least one dose of dexamethasone were analyzed. The trial was prematurely terminated due to low enrollment rate. At 28 days after randomization, there was no difference between high- and low-dose dexamethasone groups in VFD (median, 0 [interquartile range [IQR] 0-14] vs. 0 [IQR 0-1] days; P = .231), or in the mean duration of mechanical ventilation (19 ± 18 vs. 25 ± 22 days; P = .078). The cumulative hazard of successful discontinuation from mechanical ventilation was increased by the high-dose treatment (adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.31 to 2.5; P < .001). None of the prespecified secondary and safety outcomes showed a significant difference between treatment arms. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with ARDS due to COVID-19, the use of higher doses of dexamethasone compared with the recommended low-dose treatment did not show an increase in VFD. However, the higher dose significantly improved the time required to liberate them from the ventilator.

Prevalence of hepatitis E virus in children from Northeast of Argentina.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in a young population from the Northeast region of Argentina. Four hundred and twelve patients under 18 years old, from rural areas of Chaco Province, were tested for anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were detected in 7 out of 412 patients, accounting for an overall 1.7% prevalence. HEV infection in developing countries is associated to lack of clean drinking water. Consequently, the seroprevalence observed in children in rural areas of Chaco, Argentina, where the access to tap water is less than 15%, was unexpectedly low.