Decrease in Readmissions after Hospitalisation for COPD Exacerbation through a Home Care Model.

Objective: To decrease readmissions at 30 and 90 days post-discharge from a hospital admission for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation (COPDE) through the home care model of the Ambulatory Chronic Respiratory Care Unit (ACRCU), increase patient survival at one year, and validate our readmission risk scale (RRS). Materials and methods: This was an observational study, with a prospective data collection and a retrospective data analysis. A total of 491 patients with a spirometry diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requiring hospitalisation for an exacerbation were included in the study. Subjects recruited within the first year (204 cases) received conventional care (CC). In the following year a home care (HC) programme was implemented and of those recruited that year (287) 104 were included in the ACRCU, administered by a specialised nurse. Results: In the group of patients included in the home care model of the Ambulatory Chronic Respiratory Care Unit (ACRCU) a lower number of readmissions was observed at 30 and 90 days after discharge (30.5% vs. 50%, p = 0.012 and 47.7% vs. 65.2%, p = 0.031, respectively) and a greater one-year survival (85.3% vs. 59.1%, p < 0.001). The validation of our RRS revealed that the tool's capacity to predict readmissions at both 30 and 90 days was not high (AUC = 0.69 and AUC = 0.66, respectively). Conclusions: The inclusion of exacerbator or fragile COPD patients in the ACRCU could achieve a decrease in readmissions and an increase in survival. The number of episodes of exacerbation within the 12 months prior to the hospital admission is the variable that best predicts the risk of readmission.

Objetivo: Disminuir los reingresos a los 30 y 90 días tras el alta por un ingreso hospitalario por exacerbación de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) a través del modelo de atención domiciliaria de la Unidad de Cuidados Crónicos Respiratorios Ambulatorios (UCCRA), aumentar la supervivencia al año y validar nuestra escala de riesgo de reingreso (ERR). Material y métodos: Estudio observacional con recogida prospectiva de datos. Se incluyó en el estudio a un total de 491 pacientes con diagnóstico espirométrico de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica que requirieron hospitalización por una agudización. Los sujetos reclutados dentro del primer año (204 casos) recibieron atención convencional (AC). Al año siguiente se implementó un programa de atención domiciliaria (AD) y de los pacientes reclutados ese año (287), 104 fueron incluidos en la UCCRA con seguimiento de una enfermera especializada. Resultados: En el grupo de pacientes incluidos en el modelo de atención domiciliaria de la UCCRA se observó un menor número de reingresos a los 30 y 90 días tras el alta (30,5% vs 50%, p = 0,012 y 47,7% vs. 65,2%, p = 0,031, respectivamente) y una mayor supervivencia al año (85,3% vs. 59,1%, p < 0,001). La validación de nuestra ERR reveló que la capacidad de la misma para predecir reingresos tanto a los 30 como a los 90 días no era alta (AUC = 0,69 y AUC = 0,66, respectivamente). Conclusiones: La inclusión de pacientes con EPOC agudizadores o frágiles en la UCCRA podría conseguir una disminución de los reingresos y una aumento de la supervivencia. El número de agudizaciones en los 12 meses previos al ingreso hospitalario es la variable que mejor predice el riesgo de reingreso.

Compassionate use of tocilizumab in severe SARS-CoV2 pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: Tocilizumab (TCZ) is an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist, which has been used for the treatment of severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia (SSP), which aims to ameliorate the cytokine release syndrome (CRS) induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, there are no consistent data about who might benefit most from it. METHODS: We administered TCZ on a compassionate-use basis to patients with SSP who were hospitalized (excluding intensive care and intubated cases) and who required oxygen support to have a saturation >93%. The primary endpoint was intubation or death after 24 h of its administration. Patients received at least one dose of 400 mg intravenous TCZ from March 8, 2020 to April 20, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 207 patients were studied and 186 analyzed. The mean age was 65 years and 68% were male patients. A coexisting condition was present in 68% of cases. Prognostic factors of death were older age, higher IL-6, d-dimer and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HSCRP), lower total lymphocytes, and severe disease that requires additional oxygen support. The primary endpoint (intubation or death) was significantly worst (37% vs 13%, p < 0·001) in those receiving the drug when the oxygen support was high (FiO2 >0.5%). CONCLUSIONS: TCZ is well tolerated in patients with SSP, but it has a limited effect on the evolution of cases with high oxygen support needs.

Patient Management Assisted by a Neural Network Reduces Mortality in an Intermediate Care Unit / El manejo del paciente asistido por una red neuronal disminuye la mortalidad en una unidad de cuidados intermedios

INTRODUCTION: Mortality risk prediction for Intermediate Respiratory Care Unit's (IRCU) patients can facilitate optimal treatment in high-risk patients. While Intensive Care Units (ICUs) have a long term experience in using algorithms for this purpose, due to the special features of the IRCUs, the same strategics are not applicable. The aim of this study is to develop an IRCU specific mortality predictor tool using machine learning methods. METHODS: Vital signs of patients were recorded from 1966 patients admitted from 2007 to 2017 in the Jiménez Díaz Foundation University Hospital's IRCU. A neural network was used to select the variables that better predict mortality status. Multivariate logistic regression provided us cut-off points that best discriminated the mortality status for each of the parameters. A new guideline for risk assessment was applied and mortality was recorded during one year. RESULTS: Our algorithm shows that thrombocytopenia, metabolic acidosis, anemia, tachypnea, age, sodium levels, hypoxemia, leukocytopenia and hyperkalemia are the most relevant parameters associated with mortality. First year with this decision scene showed a decrease in failure rate of a 50%. CONCLUSIONS: We have generated a neural network model capable of identifying and classifying mortality predictors in the IRCU of a general hospital. Combined with multivariate regression analysis, it has provided us with an useful tool for the real-time monitoring of patients to detect specific mortality risks. The overall algorithm can be scaled to any type of unit offering personalized results and will increase accuracy over time when more patients are included to the cohorts

INTRODUCCIÓN: La predicción del riesgo de mortalidad de los pacientes en la unidad de cuidados respiratorios intermedios (UCRI) puede facilitar un tratamiento óptimo en pacientes de alto riesgo. Si bien las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) tienen una experiencia a largo plazo en el uso de algoritmos para este propósito, debido a las características especiales de las UCRI, no se pueden aplicar las mismas estrategias. El objetivo de este estudio es desarrollar una herramienta de predicción de mortalidad específica para la UCRI utilizando métodos de aprendizaje automático. MÉTODOS: Se registraron los signos vitales de 1.966 pacientes ingresados entre 2007 y 2017 en la UCRI del Hospital Universitario de la Fundación Jiménez Díaz. Se utilizó una red neuronal para seleccionar las variables que mejor predijeran el estado de mortalidad. La regresión logística multivariante nos proporcionó los puntos de corte que discriminaban mejor el estado de la mortalidad para cada uno de los parámetros. Se aplicó una nueva guía para la evaluación de riesgos, y se registró la mortalidad durante un año. RESULTADOS: Nuestro algoritmo muestra que la trombocitopenia, la acidosis metabólica, la anemia, la taquipnea, la edad, los niveles de sodio, la hipoxemia, la leucocitopenia y la hipercalemia son los parámetros más relevantes asociados con la mortalidad. En el primer año con este escenario de decisión se mostró una disminución en la tasa de fracaso de un 50%. CONCLUSIONES: Hemos generado un modelo de red neuronal capaz de identificar y clasificar predictores de mortalidad en la UCRI de un hospital general. Combinado con el análisis de regresión multivariante, nos ha proporcionado una herramienta útil para la monitorización en tiempo real de pacientes para detectar riesgos de mortalidad específicos. El algoritmo general se puede modificar a escala para cualquier tipo de unidad, lo que ofrecerá resultados personalizados, y su precisión aumentará con el tiempo, según se incluyan más pacientes en las cohortes

Histiocytic hyperplasia with hemophagocytosis and acute alveolar damage in COVID-19 infection.

The spectrum of COVID-19 infection includes acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), although the histological basis for these disorders has not been thoroughly explored. Post-mortem pulmonary and bone marrow biopsies were performed in 33 patients. Samples were studied with a combination of morphological and immunohistochemical techniques. Bone marrow studies were also performed in three living patients. Bone marrow post-mortem studies showed striking lesions of histiocytic hyperplasia with hemophagocytosis (HHH) in most (16/17) cases. This was also observed in three alive patients, where it mimicked the changes observed in hemophagocytic histiocytosis. Pulmonary changes included a combination of diffuse alveolar damage with fibrinous microthrombi predominantly involving small vessels, in particular the alveolar capillary. These findings were associated with the analytical and clinical symptoms, which helps us understand the respiratory insufficiency and reveal the histological substrate for the macrophage activation syndrome-like exhibited by these patients. Our results confirm that COVID-19 infection triggers a systemic immune-inflammatory disease and allow specific therapies to be proposed.

Patient Management Assisted by a Neural Network Reduces Mortality in an Intermediate Care Unit.

INTRODUCTION: Mortality risk prediction for Intermediate Respiratory Care Unit's (IRCU) patients can facilitate optimal treatment in high-risk patients. While Intensive Care Units (ICUs) have a long term experience in using algorithms for this purpose, due to the special features of the IRCUs, the same strategics are not applicable. The aim of this study is to develop an IRCU specific mortality predictor tool using machine learning methods. METHODS: Vital signs of patients were recorded from 1966 patients admitted from 2007 to 2017 in the Jiménez Díaz Foundation University Hospital's IRCU. A neural network was used to select the variables that better predict mortality status. Multivariate logistic regression provided us cut-off points that best discriminated the mortality status for each of the parameters. A new guideline for risk assessment was applied and mortality was recorded during one year. RESULTS: Our algorithm shows that thrombocytopenia, metabolic acidosis, anemia, tachypnea, age, sodium levels, hypoxemia, leukocytopenia and hyperkalemia are the most relevant parameters associated with mortality. First year with this decision scene showed a decrease in failure rate of a 50%. CONCLUSIONS: We have generated a neural network model capable of identifying and classifying mortality predictors in the IRCU of a general hospital. Combined with multivariate regression analysis, it has provided us with an useful tool for the real-time monitoring of patients to detect specific mortality risks. The overall algorithm can be scaled to any type of unit offering personalized results and will increase accuracy over time when more patients are included to the cohorts.

Análisis de costes y mortalidad de una unidad de cuidados intermedios respiratorios. ¿Es realmente eficiente y segura? / Cost and Mortality Analysis of an Intermediate Respiratory Care Unit. Is It Really Efficient and Safe?

Introducción: Históricamente se ha asumido que las unidades de cuidados intermedios respiratorios (UCIR) eran estructuras eficientes por los costes evitados atribuibles a la reducción de los ingresos en las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) y eficaces por la especialización neumológica. Métodos: Se evaluó el número de ingresos y mortalidad en la unidad, histórica y en el año 2016. Ese año además se describieron los grupos relacionados de diagnóstico (GRD) agrupados y el coste evitado por estancia en UCI en relación con todos los capítulos presupuestarios. Se realizó un análisis multivariante para asociar costes a pesos medios y complejidad y se realizó una regresión logística múltiple sobre la totalidad de enfermos ingresados de 2004 a 2017 para describir las variables asociadas a la mortalidad en nuestra unidad. Resultados: La UCIR evita un coste al hospital de 500.000 €/año al reducir días de estancia en las UCI. El análisis sobre la cohorte de 2016 describe que los costes se asocian al peso medio y mortalidad, y por tanto, a la complejidad. El análisis de regresión logística multivariante sobre la cohorte de 2004-2017 describe la frecuencia respiratoria, la leucopenia, la anemia, la hiperpotasemia y la acidosis como las variables que mejor se asocian con la mortalidad. El área bajo la curva para el modelo logístico fue de 0,75. Conclusión: La UCIR analizada ha demostrado ser eficiente en términos de «coste evitado» y ahorro ligado a la complejidad. Nuestros resultados sugieren que las UCIR son un entorno seguro para los pacientes al tener una mortalidad menor que otras unidades similares

Introduction: Historically, it has been assumed that Intermediate Respiratory Care Units (IRCU) were efficient, because they saved costs by reducing the number of admissions to intensive care units (ICU), and effective, because they specialized in respiratory diseases. Methods: The number of IRCU admissions and mortality rate, historically and in 2016, were evaluated. For 2016, the grouped Related Diagnostic Groups (DRGs) were also described, and the savings achieved under all budgetary headings by avoiding UCI stays were calculated. A multivariate analysis was performed to associate costs with mean weights and complexity, and multiple logistic regression was performed on all patients admitted from 2004 to 2017 to describe the variables associated with mortality in our unit. Results: An IRCU generates savings of 500,000 €/year by reducing length of ICU stay. Analysis of the 2016 cohort shows that costs correlate with mean weight and mortality, and consequently complexity. The multivariate logistic regression analysis of the 2004-2017 cohort found respiratory frequency, leukopenia, anemia, hyperkalemia, and acidosis to be the variables best associated with mortality. The area under the curve for the logistic model was 0.75. Conclusion: The IRCU analyzed in our study was efficient in terms of "avoided costs" and savings associated with complexity. Our results suggest that IRCUs have a lower mortality rate than other similar units, and are therefore a safe environment for patients

Cost and Mortality Analysis of an Intermediate Respiratory Care Unit. Is It Really Efficient and Safe? / Análisis de costes y mortalidad de una unidad de cuidados intermedios respiratorios. ¿Es realmente eficiente y segura?

INTRODUCTION: Historically, it has been assumed that Intermediate Respiratory Care Units (IRCU) were efficient, because they saved costs by reducing the number of admissions to intensive care units (ICU), and effective, because they specialized in respiratory diseases. METHODS: The number of IRCU admissions and mortality rate, historically and in 2016, were evaluated. For 2016, the grouped Related Diagnostic Groups (DRGs) were also described, and the savings achieved under all budgetary headings by avoiding UCI stays were calculated. A multivariate analysis was performed to associate costs with mean weights and complexity, and multiple logistic regression was performed on all patients admitted from 2004 to 2017 to describe the variables associated with mortality in our unit. RESULTS: An IRCU generates savings of €500,000/year by reducing length of ICU stay. Analysis of the 2016 cohort shows that costs correlate with mean weight and mortality, and consequently complexity. The multivariate logistic regression analysis of the 2004-2017 cohort found respiratory frequency, leukopenia, anemia, hyperkalemia, and acidosis to be the variables best associated with mortality. The area under the curve for the logistic model was 0.75. CONCLUSION: The IRCU analyzed in our study was efficient in terms of 'avoided costs' and savings associated with complexity. Our results suggest that IRCUs have a lower mortality rate than other similar units, and are therefore a safe environment for patients.

Spontaneous Hemothorax in a Patient With von Recklinghausen's Disease.

Type I neurofibromatosis (NF-1) is a rare autosomal dominant disease. It can affect any organ system including vascular tissues. A 53 years old man, with a past medical history of NF-1, retinitis pigmentosa and hypertension attended to the emergency department for chest pain and palpitations and was discharged 2 days after acute coronary syndrome was ruled out. During this admission an echocardiogram was performed which showed a left ventricular hypertrophy with normal ejection fraction and a chest X-ray which revealed no pathologic images. No invasive procedures were preformed. Three days after discharge, he returned to our hospital for sudden onset of oppressive chest pain in the right arm, irradiated to the ipsilateral shoulder, chest and back. After several tests, a diagnosis of hemothorax was made. Hemoglobin levels declined during the first 2 days of admission from 12.1 to 9.6 g/dL, although the patient remained hemodynamic stable. An arteriography was performed, which showed the presence of bleeding from a branch of the right subclavian artery, which was selectively catheterized and embolized with coils. Afterwards, a video-assisted thoracoscopy was made, in order to drain the hemothorax and to carry out a visual review of the pleural cavity. The patient had a good clinical and radiologic progression and was discharged after few days. After a year of follow-up, the patient has remained clinically asymptomatic with no further episodes of active bleeding.

Patient outcomes after noninvasive mechanical ventilation at a high dependency unit of an emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcome of patients after noninvasive ventilation in a high dependency unit (HDU) of an emergency department (ED). Secondary aims were to define the role of intensive care consultation and to identify variables associated with mortality. METHODS: Observational, prospective 6-month study. RESULTS: Two hundred and nine cases were analysed. Thirty-four patients were initially rejected by the intensive care unit (ICU). Physicians in the ED did not request ICU consultation in the remaining 175 (83%) because of 'belief of improvable medical condition in the ED in patients without therapeutic limits' in 93 (group 1) and to 'preset therapeutic limits' or 'comfort measures only' in 82 (groups 2 and 3). Ten out of these 175 were subsequently admitted to the ICU. The global in-hospital mortality rate was 22% (3.3% in the high dependency unit), but only 10% in group 1. Place of referral for ventilation (P<0.001), absence of subsequent ventilation on the general ward (P<0.001), group of assignation (P=0.004), intensive care initial rejection (P=0.022), no previous home ventilation (P=0.028), older age (P=0.03) and longer duration on ventilation (P=0.047) were significantly associated with mortality. In the multivariate regression model, ventilating patients from general wards (odds ratio=7.1; 2.3-25, 95% confidence interval) and ventilation under preset limits (odds ratio=3.57; 1.42-8.98, 95% confidence interval) remained significantly associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Noninvasive ventilation is a relatively safe and effective treatment in the ED when performed in carefully controlled settings. ICU consultation may be securely deferred in this setting.

[Evolution of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity hypoventilation syndrome or congestive heart failure in a respiratory monitoring unit]. / Evolución comparativa con ventilación no invasiva de pacientes con EPOC, síndrome de hipoventilación-obesidad e insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva ingresados en una unidad de monitorización respiratoria.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for hypercapnic acidosis with hypoxemia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), or congestive heart failure (CHF) in a respiratory medicine monitoring unit. The objective was to evaluate each diagnostic groups response to therapy in terms of clinical course and evolution of blood gases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective, 12-month study of 53 patients with hypercapnic acidosis with hypoxemia. Twenty-seven patients had COPD, 17 OHS, and 9 CHF. Severity was assessed based on initial arterial blood gas analysis. Clinical course was studied by blood gas analysis after conventional treatment and after NIV (1-3 hours and 12-24 hours). Mortality was recorded. All patients received bilevel positive airway pressure support in assist-control mode. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between mean (SD) initial pH findings in the 3 diagnostic groups: COPD, 7.28 (0.1); OHS, 7.29 (0.09); and CHF, 7.24 (0.07). (nonsignificant differences). After initial conventional treatment, PaCO2 worsened for COPD patients (P = .026) and PaO2 improved for CHF patients (P = .028). After 1 to 3 hours of NIV, pH (P = .002) and PaO2 (P = .041) improved for COPD patients, and pH (P = .03) and PaCO2 (P = .045) improved in OHS patients; no significant changes were observed in CHF patients. After 12 to 24 hours of NIV, the mean pH was 7.36 (0.04) for COPD patients, 7.36 (0.05) for OHS patients, and 7.25 (0.1) for CHF patients (not significant). The mortality rate was 11.1% for COPD, 0% for OHS, and 33.3% for CHS (not significant, P = .076). CONCLUSIONS: In this group of patients with similar initial arterial blood gas values, response to NIV was seen to be better in OHS and COPD than in CHF. That the start of NIV is usually preceded by a poor response to conventional COPD treatment suggests that delaying NIV should be reconsidered.

Evolución comparativa con ventilación no invasiva de pacientes con EPOC, síndrome de hipoventilación-obesidad e insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva ingresados en una unidad de monitorización respiratoria / Evolution of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity hypoventilation syndrome or congestive heart failure in a respiratory monitoring unit

OBJETIVO: Hemos realizado un trabajo comparativo en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC), síndrome de hipoventilación-obesidad (SHO) e insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva (ICC) sometidos a ventilación no invasiva (VNI) en una unidad de monitorización de neumología por presentar acidosis hipoxémica-hipercápnica. El objetivo ha sido valorar la respuesta clínica y gasométrica en función del diagnóstico. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se trata de un estudio prospectivo (12 mese de duración) en 53 pacientes con acidosis hipoxémic-hipercápnica, de los que 27 presentaban EPOC; 17, SHO, y 9, ICC. Realizamos un análisis de la gravedad gasométrica inicial, de la evolución gasométrica (tras tratamiento convencional y tras VNI a las 1-3h y 12-24h) y de la mortalidad. Todos ellos recibieron VNI tipo BiPAP en modo asistido-controlado. RESULTADOS: LA presentación gasométrica inicial era similar en las 3 entidades (valores medios +/- desviación estándar de pH, 7,28 +/- 0,1 en la EPOC; 7,29 +/- 0,09 en SHO, y 7,24 +/- 0,07 en ICC; no significativo). Tras tratamiento convencional inicial, en los pacientes con EPOC se observó un empeoramiento de la presión arterial de anhídrido carbónico (p=0,026), y en aquellos con ICC, una mejoría de la presión arterial de oxígeno (p=0,028). Tras el inico de la VNI (1-3h) se produjo una mejoría del pH (p=0,002) y de la presión arterial de oxígeno (p=0,041) en la EPOC, y del pH (p=0,03) y de la presión arterial de anhídrido carbónico (o=0,045) en el SHO; no hubo cambios significativos en la ICC. Tras 12-24h con VNI, el pH fue de 7,36 +/- 0,04 en la EPOC, de 7,36 +/- 0,05 en el SHO y de 7,25 +/- 0,1 (no significativo) en la ICC. La mortalidad fue del 11,1% en la EPOC, del 0% en el SHO y del 33% en la ICC (no significativo; p= 0,076). CONCLUSIONES: Partiendo de una gravedad gasométrica similar, en el SHO y la EPOC se observó una mejor respuesta a la VNI que en la ICC. El inicio de la VNI suele precederse de mala respuesta al tratamiento convencional en la EPOC, lo que haría replantearse la demora para iniciarla

OBJECTIVE: We compared the use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for hypercapnic acidosis with hypoxemia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), or congestive heart failure (CHF) in a respiratory medicine monitoring unit. The objective was to evaluate each diagnostic groups response to therapy in terms of clinical course and evolution of blood gases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective, 12-month study of 53 patients with hypercapnic acidosis with hypoxemia. Twenty-seven patients had COPD, 17 OHS, and 9 CHF. Severity was assessed based on initial arterial blood gas analysis. Clinical course was studied by blood gas analysis after conventional treatment and after NIV (1-3 hours and 12-24 hours). Mortality was recorded. All patients received bilevel positive airway pressure support in assist-control mode. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between mean (SD) initial pH findings in the 3 diagnostic groups: COPD, 7.28 (0.1); OHS, 7.29 (0.09); and CHF, 7.24 (0.07). (nonsignificant differences). After initial conventional treatment, PaCO2 worsened for COPD patients (P=.026) and PaO2 improved for CHF patients (P=.028). After 1 to 3 hours of NIV, pH (P=.002) and PaO2 (P=.041) improved for COPD patients, and pH (P=.03) and PaCO2 (P=.045) improved in OHS patients; no significant changes were observed in CHF patients. After 12 to 24 hours of NIV, the mean pH was 7.36 (0.04) for COPD patients, 7.36 (0.05) for OHS patients, and 7.25 (0.1) for CHF patients (not significant). The mortality rate was 11.1% for COPD, 0% for OHS, and 33.3% for CHS (not significant, P=.076). CONCLUSIONS: In this group of patients with similar initial arterial blood gas values, response to NIV was seen to be better in OHS and COPD than in CHF. That the start of NIV is usually preceded by a poor response to conventional COPD treatment suggests that delaying NIV should be reconsidered