ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 is a systemic disease that affects endothelial function and leads to coagulation disorders, increasing the risk of mortality. Blood levels of endothelial biomarkers such as Von Willebrand Factor (VWF), Thrombomodulin or Blood Dendritic Cell Antigen-3 (BDCA3), and uUokinase (uPA) increase in patients with severe disease and can be prognostic indicators for mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of VWF, BDCA3, and uPA levels on mortality. METHODS: From May 2020 to January 2021, we studied a prospective cohort of hospitalized adult patients with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 with a SaO2 ≤ 93% and a PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 300. In-hospital survival was evaluated from admission to death or to a maximum of 60 days of follow-up with Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazard models as independent predictor measures of endothelial dysfunction. RESULTS: We recruited a total of 165 subjects (73% men) with a median age of 57.3 ± 12.9 years. The most common comorbidities were obesity (39.7%), hypertension (35.4%) and diabetes (30.3%). Endothelial biomarkers were increased in non-survivors compared to survivors. According to the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, those with an elevated VWF concentration ≥ 4870 pg/ml had a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.06 (95% CI: 1.32-12.5) compared to those with a lower VWF concentration adjusted for age, cerebrovascular events, enoxaparin dose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, and bilirubin level. uPA and BDCA3 also increased mortality in patients with levels ≥ 460 pg/ml and ≥ 3600 pg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION: The risk of mortality in those with elevated levels of endothelial biomarkers was observable in this study.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers , COVID-19 , Thrombomodulin , Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator , von Willebrand Factor , Humans , COVID-19/mortality , COVID-19/blood , Male , von Willebrand Factor/metabolism , von Willebrand Factor/analysis , Middle Aged , Female , Biomarkers/blood , Aged , Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator/blood , Thrombomodulin/blood , Prospective Studies , Prognosis , SARS-CoV-2 , Adult , Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology , Hospital Mortality , Proportional Hazards ModelsABSTRACT
La hemoptisis se define como la expectoración de sangre del árbol traqueobronquial, por lo general se origina en las arterias bronquiales. Una vez confirmada la presencia y el sitio de sangrado se debe elegir entre los diferentes métodos de manejo de la hemoptisis, cada uno con sus beneficios y limitaciones. La embolización de arterias bronquiales es una técnica endovascular mínimamente invasiva. Se ha convertido en el método de elección para tratar hemoptisis masiva y recurrente. Tiene una tasa de éxito en el primer episodio superior al 80%. La tasa de recurrencia posterior al procedimiento va de un 10% a un 55%, en el cual la cirugía llega a tener un papel de importancia. Objetivos: Describir las características demográficas, clínicas, diagnóstico etiológico y tratamiento de pacientes con hemoptisis en un hospital de tercer nivel de la Ciudad de México. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con diagnóstico de hemoptisis en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2014 a diciembre de 2016. Los datos fueron obtenidos del expediente clínico. Resultados: Se estudiaron 34 pacientes media de edad 52 años, con predominio en hombres (52,9%). La etiología de la hemoptisis fue tuberculosis (45,5%), neoplasias (20,6%), bronquiectasias (15,2%), malformación arteriovenosa (6,1%). El sitio de embolización más frecuente fue la arteria bronquial superior derecha (56,6%), seguido de la arteria bronquial inferior izquierda (23,3%) y un grupo de 6 pacientes (18,7%) requirieron un segundo evento de embolización por recurrencia del sangrado. Conclusión: El manejo de la hemoptisis debe de ser integral. El objetivo principal es mantener una vía aérea permeable y evaluar cada paciente para un manejo óptimo de acuerdo al tipo y etiología de la hemoptisis.
Hemoptysis is defined as the expectoration of blood from the tracheobronchial tree, typically originating from bronchial arteries. Once the presence and bleeding site are confirmed, one must choose among different methods for managing hemoptysis, each with its own benefits and limitations. Bronchial artery embolization is a minimally inva sive endovascular technique. It has become the method of choice for treating massive and recurrent hemoptysis. Its success rate in the first episode is over 80%. The recur rence rate after the procedure ranges from 10% to 55%, in which surgery may play an important role. Objectives: to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics, the etiological diagnosis and treatment of patients with hemoptysis at a tertiary care level hospital in the City of Mexico. Materials and methods: retrospective study of patients diagnosed with hemoptysis during the period from January 2014 to December 2016. The data were obtained from the clinical records. Results: a total of 34 patients with a mean age of 52 years were studied, with a pre dominance of males (52.9%). The etiology of hemoptysis was tuberculosis (45.5%), neoplasms (20.6%), bronchiectases (15.2%), and arteriovenous malformation (6.1%). The most frequent embolization site was the right upper bronchial artery (56.6%), followed by the left lower bronchial artery (23.3%); and a group of 6 patients (18.7%) required a second embolization procedure due to recurrence of bleeding. Conclusion: the management of hemoptysis should be comprehensive. The main objective is to maintain airway permeability and evaluate each patient for optimal man agement based on the type and etiology of the hemoptysis.
Subject(s)
Embolization, TherapeuticABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV2 pandemic impacted many critically ill patients, causing sequelae, affecting lung function, and involving the musculoskeletal system. We evaluated the association between lung function and muscle quality index in severely ill post-COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a post-COVID-19 cohort at a third-level center. The study included patients who had experienced severe-to-critical COVID-19. Anthropometric measurements, such as body mass index (BMI) and handgrip strength, were obtained to calculate the muscle quality index (MQI). Additionally, spirometry, measurements of expiratory and inspiratory pressure, and an assessment of DLCO in the lungs were performed. The MQI was categorized into two groups: low-MQI (below the 50th percentile) and high-MQI (above the 50th percentile), based on sex. Group differences were analyzed, and a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association between respiratory function and MQI. RESULTS: Among the 748 patients analyzed, 61.96% required mechanical ventilation, and the median hospital stay was 17 days. In patients with a low MQI, it was observed that both mechanical respiratory function and DLCO were lower. The multivariate analysis revealed significantly lower findings in mechanical respiratory function among patients with a low MQI. CONCLUSION: The Low-MQI is an independent predictor associated with pulmonary function parameters in subjects with Post-COVID-19 syndrome.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Musculoskeletal System , Humans , Hand Strength/physiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome , RNA, Viral , SARS-CoV-2 , Lung , MusclesABSTRACT
Introduction: Lower respiratory tract infections remain the deadliest communicable disease worldwide. The relationship between cardiovascular diseases and viral infections is well known; for example, during the AH1N1 influenza pandemic, many patients developed acute cardiovascular disease. In the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, cardiovascular health has again become a challenge, with early reports showing cardiac damage in these patients. Objective: The study aims to describe the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with an emphasis on cardiovascular compromises, compared with past outbreaks of influenza AH1N1, to identify prognostic factors of severity. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 72 subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 was conducted. Subjects were evaluated in two groups: 38 hospitalized patients and 34 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Data from different outbreaks of influenza AH1N1 were then compared with this group. Results: The 34 subjects in the ICU had higher levels of high sensible troponin, D dimer, creatinine, and leukocytes compared with the 38 hospitalized subjects. The lymphocytes count was diminished in 85.29% of ICU subjects. When compared with AH1N1 patients, it was found that SARS-CoV2 patients were 10 years older on average. The proportion of overweight and obese SARS-CoV2 patients was double that in the influenza outbreaks. In addition, it was observed that a high number of SARS-CoV2 subjects presented with diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: There were various clinical and severity differences between each of these outbreaks. However, viral respiratory infection diseases such as SARS-CoV2 are a significant risk factor for acute ischemic, functional, and structural cardiovascular complications. The only way to combat this risk is a prevention approach, specifically through vaccines, but also through measures that force drastic changes in health policies to reduce perhaps the worst of pandemics, obesity, and its metabolic consequences.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive and irreversible airflow limitation. Different factors that modify pulmonary function include age, sex, muscular strength, and a history of exposure to toxic agents. However, the impact of body composition compartments and sarcopenia on pulmonary function is not well-established. This study aimed to evaluate how body composition compartments and sarcopenia affect pulmonary function in COPD patients. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD, > 40 years old, and forced expiratory volume in the first second /forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC) < 0.70 post-bronchodilator were included. Patients with cancer, HIV, and asthma were excluded. Body composition was measured with bioelectrical impedance. Sarcopenia was defined according to EWGSOP2, and pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry. RESULTS: 185 patients were studied. The mean age was 72.20 ± 8.39 years; 55.14% were men. A linear regression adjusted model showed associations between body mass index, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass index, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, and phase angle (PhA), and sarcopenia with FEV1 (%). As regards FVC (%), PhA and exercise tolerance had positive associations. CONCLUSION: Body composition, especially PhA, SMMI, ASMMI, and sarcopenia, has a significant impact on pulmonary function. Early detection of disturbances of these indexes enables the early application of such therapeutic strategies in COPD patients.
Subject(s)
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Sarcopenia , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Body Composition , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Lung , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients have alterations in body composition. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) evaluates body composition, hydration status, and fluid distribution. Subjects with fluid disturbances have been found to have lower FEV1, respiratory muscle strength, and poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the effect of hydration status and fluid distribution on pulmonary function in COPD patients. A cross-sectional study, 180 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD were included. Patients with asthma, advanced renal or liver disease, acute HF, exacerbation of COPD, or pacemakers were excluded. Hydration status variables (TBW, ECW, ICW) and disturbance of fluid distribution [impedance ratio (IR) > 0.84 and phase angle (PhA)] were evaluated by BIA. Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry. The mean population age was 71.55 ± 8.94 years; 55% were men. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the IR ≥ 0.84 or < 0.84. The group with higher IR ≥ 0.84 had lower FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, DLCO and, PhA compared to those with IR < 0.84. After adjusting for confounding variables TBW, ECW, IR ≥ 0.84, PhA, and resistance/height increase were associated with decreased FEV1. In the same way, with IR ≥ 0.84, edema index ≥ 0.48, trunk and abdominal IR were negatively associated with FVC, and PhA had a positive association with FVC. Fluid distribution, especially IR and PhA, could be a useful parameter for predicting pulmonary function in COPD patients.
Subject(s)
Lung/physiopathology , Organism Hydration Status , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Body Composition , Cross-Sectional Studies , Electric Impedance , Female , Forced Expiratory Volume , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Vital CapacityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The prognosis in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) depends, in large part, on the frequency of exacerbations. Cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure (HF), are the risk factors for exacerbations. However, the importance of HF type over the exacerbations in COPD patients is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether right heart failure (RHF) is an independent risk factor for severe exacerbations in patients with COPD. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 133 patients diagnosed with COPD with a follow-up period from 2010 to 2016. Patients with bronchial hyperreactivity, asthma, or pulmonary embolism were excluded. RESULTS: The mean age was 74.7 ± 8.2 years and 43.6% were men, 69.9% had severe exacerbations during follow-up. Subjects with RHF had lower FEV1 (50.2 ± 19.9 vs 57.4 ± 16.9, P = .006) and greater incidence of stroke (15.4% vs 1.8%, P = .009) compared to those without RHF. Subjects with RHF were at higher risk of severe exacerbations (HR, 2.46; CI 95%, 1.32-4.58, P = .005) compared to those without RHF after adjusting for confounding variables. CONCLUSION: In patients with COPD, RHF is an independent risk factor for suffering severe exacerbations.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure/complications , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/mortality , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Disease Progression , Female , Heart Failure/epidemiology , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Humans , Incidence , Male , Mexico/epidemiology , Prospective Studies , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Stroke/epidemiology , Stroke/physiopathology , Stroke Volume , Ventricular Function, Right/physiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by complex lesions of the lungs and other organs as well as a progressive obstruction of the airway. In COPD patients, heart failure (HF) is associated with worse conditions such as inflammation, arterial stiffness, and increased risk mortality. However, the association of HF, COPD, and stroke are unclear; the examination of the role of HF, especially right HF, about increased risk of stroke in COPD patients has not been studied. We aimed to determine if right HF is a risk factor for stroke in patients with COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study of patients with COPD was carried out. The cases were defined as COPD patients with ischemic stroke and control COPD patients without stroke. RESULTS: A total of 162 patients with COPD were analyzed: COPD with stroke (n = 35) and COPD alone (n = 127). COPD patients with right HF were at a greater risk of stroke compared with patients without right HF (odds ratio 3.03, 95% confidence interval 1.13-10.12, p = .044) adjusted for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Right HF is an independent risk factor for stroke, probably because of cerebrovascular stasis secondary to congestion of the superior vena cava.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure/epidemiology , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology , Stroke/epidemiology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Chi-Square Distribution , Databases, Factual , Female , Heart Failure/diagnosis , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Humans , Logistic Models , Lung/physiopathology , Male , Mexico/epidemiology , Multivariate Analysis , Odds Ratio , Prevalence , Prognosis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Stroke/diagnosis , Stroke/physiopathology , Stroke Volume , Ventricular Function, RightABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cachexia is a common complication in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) associated with inflammatory response activation. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia (26%), probably both exacerbate the cardiac cachexia (CC). OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the association of cardiac cachexia and atrial fibrillation in heart failure patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a case control study, CC was diagnosed by electrical bioimpedance with vectorial analysis (BIVA). Subjects with congenital heart disease, cancer, HIV, drug use and other causes than HF were excluded. RESULTS: Of the 359 subjects analyzed (men: 52.9%) median age 65years (55-74). Those with CC were older [72 (61-67)] vs. without [62 (52-70) years old, p<0.01]. During follow-up 47.8% of subjects developed CC and 17.27% AF, this was significantly more frequent in cachectic patients CC (23% vs 12.11%, OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.19-4.01, p=0.006). Subjects, with AF had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (25.49±12.96 vs. 32.01±15.02, p=0.08), lower posterior wall thickness (10.03±2.12 vs. 11.00±2.47, p=0.007), larger diameter of the left atrium (49.87±9.84 vs. 42.66±7.56, p<0.001), and a higher prevalence of CC (85.42% vs. 69.77%, p=0.028). The 50.58% of was in NYHA class I. In NYHA III, 22.95% were in AF vs. 12.10% with not AF (p=0.027). CONCLUSION: The frequent coexistence of CC and AF as HF complications indicate greater severity of HF, regardless of its type of HF.
Subject(s)
Atrial Fibrillation , Cachexia , Electric Impedance , Heart Failure , Aged , Atrial Fibrillation/diagnosis , Atrial Fibrillation/etiology , Atrial Fibrillation/physiopathology , Cachexia/diagnosis , Cachexia/etiology , Cachexia/physiopathology , Case-Control Studies , Female , Heart Failure/complications , Heart Failure/diagnosis , Heart Failure/epidemiology , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Humans , Male , Mexico/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Severity of Illness Index , Stroke Volume , Vectorcardiography/methods , Ventricular Function, LeftABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The effect of L-arginine and L-citrulline on blood pressure and right ventricular function in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unknown. We have therefore evaluated, in a randomized clinical trial, the effect of these aminoacids in chronic outstanding and stable patients with HFpEF. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients underwent an echocardiogram and radioisotopic ventriculography rest/exercise, and were randomized in a consecutive manner to the L-arginine group (n = 15; 8 g/day); and the citrulline malate group (n = 15; 3 g/day). The duration of follow-up was two months. The principal echocardiographic finding was a statistically significant decrease in pulmonary artery pressure in the L-arginine (56.3 ± 10 vs 44 ± 16.5 mm Hg, p < 0.05) and the citrulline (56.67 ± 7.96 vs 47.67 ± 8.59 mm Hg, p < 0.05) groups. Duration on treadmill and right ventricular ejection fraction post exercise increased, while diastolic and systolic artery pressure decreased significantly in both groups. There were no other statistically significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of L-arginine and citrulline to patients with HFpEF improved right ventricular function by increasing right ventricular ejection fraction, and probably decreasing systolic pulmonary artery pressure.