Atrial electromechanical delay, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and echocardiographic changes in patients with acute and stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) is the time interval between the beginning of P wave on surface electrocardiography and starting of the late diastolic wave on tissue Doppler imaging. We investigated the prolongation of AEMD, echocardiographic changes, and correlation of these findings with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 105 (49 females and 56 males; mean age: 65.1 ± 9) patients with COPD exacerbation and 104 (21 females and 83 males; mean age: 64.8 ± 9.6) stable COPD outpatients. Demographics, body mass index, pulmonary function tests, and transthoracic echocardiography of the patients were evaluated. Echocardiography was performed in the first 6 h for stable COPD outpatients and in the first 24 h for COPD exacerbation patients. Diameters of right ventricle (RV), left ventricle (LV) and left atrium, aortic root diameters, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), Emax, Amax, Emax/Amax, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), Ea, Aa, Ea/Aa, Emax/Ea, and tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) were evaluated. AEMD measurements were obtained from lateral/tricuspid, lateral/mitral, and septal annulus from apical four-chamber views with tissue Doppler imaging and corrected for heart rate. Complete blood count including NLR was also assessed. Results: The mean age of patients in exacerbation period (65.1 ± 9) was higher than the stable group (64.8 ± 9.6). RV basal and mid diameters (P < 0.001), Amax (P < 0.001), Ea tricuspid (P = 0.040), Aa tricuspid (P < 0.001), TRV, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (P < 0.001) were higher; TAPSE and tricuspid Emax/Amax (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in patients with COPD exacerbation. LV end-diastolic diameter (P = 0.002) and LVEF (P = 0.005), Emax/Amax mitral (P < 0.001), Ea/Aa mitral (P < 0.001), and Ea/Aa septal (P < 0.001) were significantly lower; Amax mitral (P = 0.002), Aa mitral (P < 0.001), Aa septal (P < 0.001), and systolic motion mitral (P = 0.011) were significantly higher in patients with exacerbation. AEMD lateral/tricuspid (P < 0.001), lateral/mitral (P < 0.001), and septal (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with COPD exacerbation. Neutrophil and lymphocyte count (P < 0.001) and NLR (P = 0.003) were significantly higher in the acute group. A weak correlation of NLR with LV end-diastolic diameter (P = 0.003; r = 0.357), Emax/Ea mitral (P = 0.019; r = 0.285), Emax tricuspid (P = 0.045; r = -0.244), and systolic motion septal (P = 0.003; r = 0.352) was detected in patients with stable COPD. Conclusion: In COPD exacerbation patients, prolongation of AEMD intervals was determined. Acute period of COPD may trigger atrial dysrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and flutter, multifocal atrial tachycardia, premature beats, and both systolic and diastolic dysfunctions frequently.

Prognostic Value of Chest-Computed Tomography in Patients with COVID-19.

Background: The diagnostic value for chest CT has been widely established in patients with COVID-19. However, there is a lack of satisfactory data about the prognostic value of chest CTs. This study investigated the prognostic value of chest CTs in COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 521 symptomatic patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were included retrospectively. Clinical, laboratory, and chest CT characteristics were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Concerning chest CT, for each subject, a semi-quantitative CT severity scoring system was applied. Results: Most patients showed typical CT features based on the likelihood of COVID-19. The global CT score was significantly higher in non-survivors (median (IQR), 1 (0−6) vs. 10 (5−13), p < 0.001). A cut-off value of 5.5 for the global CT score predicted in-hospital mortality with 74% sensitivity and 73% specificity. Global CT score, age, C-reactive protein, and diabetes were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. The global CT score was significantly correlated with the C-reactive protein, D-dimer, pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and procalcitonin levels. Conclusion: The global CT score could provide valuable prognostic data in symptomatic patients with COVID-19.

Assessment of COVID-19 deaths from cardiological perspective.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 can cause a variety of cardiac complications and a range of electrocardiographic abnormalities. We analysed cardiological parameters including ECG and high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) level and their association with mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID-19. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the demographics, comorbidities, laboratory findings and electrocardiographic parameters of 453 consecutive patients, whose outcome was clear, died or discharged. Findings were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Also, the same comparison was made between cardiac injury and no-cardiac injury subgroups. RESULTS: The cardiac injury group had significantly higher in-hospital mortality than the no-cardiac injury group. Also, frequencies of atrial fibrillation, axis change, ST-segment/T-wave change, fragmented QRS, premature atrial/ventricular contraction was found to be higher in the cardiac injury group. Moreover, non-survivors had longer QRS intervals, more frequent ST-segment/T-wave changes and isolated S1Q3T3 pattern than surviving patients. Laboratory results showed median values of hs-TnT at the admission of 4.95 ng/L (IQR, 3-12.35) with concentrations markedly higher in the non-surviving patients vs survivors. Hs-TnT value along with age and respiratory rate was found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Comorbidities were more frequently reported in non-surviving and cardiac injury groups than those surviving and without cardiac injury. CONCLUSIONS: In COVID-19 patients, both elevated hs-TnT and ECG abnormalities, suggesting cardiac involvement, on admission portends an ominous prognosis and indicates at higher risk of in-hospital mortality. Prioritised treatment and more aggressive therapeutic strategies could be planned to avoid the occurrence of death in these patients.

The alveolar-arterial gradient, pneumonia severity scores and inflammatory markers to predict 30-day mortality in pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of elevated alveolar-arterial oxygen (A-a O2) gradient with risk of mortality in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHODS: This prospective study included 206 patients diagnosed with CAP admitted to the ED. Demographics, comorbidities, arterial blood gas, serum electrolytes, liver-renal functions, complete blood count, NLR, PLR, CRP, CAR, procalcitonin, A-a O2 gradient, expected A-a O2 and A-a O2 difference were evaluated. PSI and CURB-65 scores were classified as follow: a) PSI low risk (I-III) and moderate-high risk (IV-V) groups; b) CURB-65; low risk (0-2) and high risk (3-5) groups. RESULTS: The survival rates of the PSI class (I-III) were significantly higher than the ones of the PSI class (IV-V) (92.1% vs. 62.9%, respectively). The percentage of survivors of the CURB-65 score (0-2) group (81.9%) was higher than the survivors of CURB-65 score (3-5) group (27.8%). Creatinine, BUN, uric acid, phosphorus, RDW, CRP, CAR, procalcitonin, lactate, A-a 02 gradient, expected A-a 02 and A-a 02 difference were significantly higher and basophil was lower in non-survivors. A-a O2 gradient (AUC 0.78), A-a O2 difference (AUC 0.74) and albumin (AUC 0.80) showed highest 30-day mortality prediction. NLR (AUC 0.58) and PLR (AUC 0.55) showed lowest 30-day mortality estimation. Procalcitonin (AUC 0.65), PSI class (AUC 0.81) and PSI score (AUC 0.86) indicated statistically significant higher 30-day mortality prediction. CONCLUSION: A-a O2 gradient, A-a O2 difference and albumin are potent predictors of 30-day mortality in CAP patients in the ED.

Retrosternal Goiter: A couple of classification methods with computed tomograpy findings.

OBJECTIVES: The retrosternal goiter (RSG), which can be defined by different classification and its incidence between 2% and 26% of all thyroidectomized patients, is a thyroid gland disease. Our aim was to classify RSG cases with a couple of different ways, which we have detected in computed tomography (CT) imaging of the thorax. METHODS: In this retrospective study conducted at Kars Harakani State Hospital Pulmonary Medicine Polyclinic between June 2014 and June 2017 in which 176 patients were included. The age, sex, diagnostic codes, retrosternal extension of the thyroid gland (aortic upper arch, aortic reaching arch and aortic inferior arch), extension type (prevascular, paratracheal retrovascular and retrotracheal), extension amount (mm) (<50% and 50%<) of thyroid gland of the patients were assessed. RESULTS: About 56.25% (n=99) were female and the mean age was 65.9±11.4 years. The most common co-morbid disease in patients with RSG was Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (52.3%). Thirty nine (22.2%) of the patients had associated nodule, 16 (9.1%) had accompanying tracheal pressure and one patient had nodule and tracheal pressure. 27.3% of the patients' gland's right lobe and 28.9% of the patients' left lobe were extended >50% below the thoracic entry. Left thyroid gland's (90.3%) retrosternal extension and aortic arch spread (91.2%) were more. When classified according to the trachea, the left lobe's paratracheal and retrovascular extension (50.9%) was more. Extension amounts were similar for both thyroid lobes. CONCLUSION: In patients who have retrosternal goiter, goiter spread can be defined with multiple classification with thorax CT.

Relation of the frequency and mortality of pulmonary thromboembolism with meteorological parameters.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to find the relationship between incidence rate and mortality of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), and seasonal and meteorological factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data from 234 patients who were hospitalized due to acute PTE in the emergency service or policlinics between 2001 and 2008 were investigated retrospectively. Cases that developed APE (acute pulmonary embolism) in the hospital were excluded. Seasons and months in which acute PTE was diagnosed were recorded. Mortality rates by months and seasons were evaluated. The mean pressure, temperature and humidity values were evaluated for periods of three days, seven days and one month before the day of presentation. The effects of meteorological factors on the severity (massive or non-massive) and mortality of APE were investigated. RESULTS: The incidence rate of acute APE showed a significant difference according to seasons (p=0.000). APE was diagnosed most commonly in spring and winter. The mean pressure values for three days, seven days and one month and the mean humidity values for three days for the dead patients were found to be significantly lower than those of the survived ones (p<0.05). The mortality rate for patients admitted in summer was significantly higher than the rates for other seasons (p=0.02). There were no seasonal differences among the massive APE incidences. Mortality rates were higher in summer because of the nonmassive APE patients rather than the massive patients. CONCLUSION: Acute PE is a disease whose incidence and mortality rates are affected by meteorological factors.

Evaluation of alpha-1-antitrypsin levels in blood serum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease that causes obstructed air flow from the lungs. The disease also has a dramatic role in increasing rate of mortality and morbidity in recent years. Air pollution, long-term exposure to particulate matter and irritating gases, especially cigarette smoke, genetic inheritance which has an impact on the initial forced expiratory volume one in second (FEV1), and alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency are among common COPD risk factors. The objective of this study is to evaluate parameters and serum AAT levels in COPD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Having taken the approval of local ethical committee, this cross-sectional study was performed with adult patients diagnosed with COPD, whose serum AAT levels were measured through nephelometric analysis in Kars Harakani State Hospital where secondary health care is served. The study evaluated ATT levels in patients' serum in relation to their age, gender, body mass (BMI), exposure to cigarette smoke, FEV1 percentage, hospitalization in pulmonology or intensive care unit through a year, mortality status, white blood cell (WBC), c-reactive protein (CRP) and blood gases. RESULTS: The average age of the 243 patients included in the study was 68.41±11.52 and 160 (65.8%) of them were male. The age and BMI of the female patients were higher. Of the all patients only a single patient's serum AAT level was below the reference value. AAT levels were similar in both genders irrespective of their being exposed to cigarette smoke or being discharged or being exitus at their first admission to hospital, being exitus in the first year of disease diagnose, and being hospitalized in intensive care unit. AAT levels were reasonably correlated with WBC and CRP in a positive way (p<0.001 r=0.289 for WBC; p<0.001, r=0.295 for CRP). AAT levels were seen to significantly increase along with COPD stages which go up with FEV1 percentages (p<0.001). CRP was watched to have increased to Stage III COPD (severe COPD). However, it was watched to have decreased in Stage IV (very severe COPD) (p =0.179). CONCLUSION: In the study, AAT serum levels of COPD patients were examined. The levels and their relations in various parameters of the patients were evaluated.

Right ventricular morphology and function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients living at high altitude.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary vasculature is affected in patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD). As a result of increased pulmonary resistance, right ventricular morphology and function are altered in COPD patients. High altitude and related hypoxia causes pulmonary vasoconstriction, thereby affecting the right ventricle. We aimed to investigate the combined effects of COPD and altitude-related chronic hypoxia on right ventricular morphology and function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty COPD patients living at high altitude (1768 m) and 41 COPD patients living at sea level were enrolled in the study. All participants were diagnosed as COPD by a pulmonary diseases specialist depending on symptoms, radiologic findings and pulmonary function test results. Detailed two-dimensional echocardiography was performed by a cardiologist at both study locations. RESULTS: Oxygen saturation and mean pulmonary artery pressure were higher in the high altitude group. Right ventricular end diastolic diameter, end systolic diameter, height and end systolic area were significantly higher in the high altitude group compared to the sea level group. Parameters of systolic function, including tricuspid annular systolic excursion, systolic velocity of tricuspid annulus and right ventricular isovolumic acceleration were similar between groups, while fractional area change was significantly higher in the sea level groups compared to the high altitude group. Indices of diastolic function and myocardial performance index were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: An increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular dimensions are observed in COPD patients living at high altitude. Despite this increase, systolic and diastolic functions of the right ventricle, as well as global right ventricular performance are similar in COPD patients living at high altitude and sea level. Altitude-related adaptation to chronic hypoxia could explain these findings.

[Effecting factors on survival in patients taking thrombolytic treatment due to massive pulmonary embolism]. / Masif pulmoner emboli nedeniyle trombolitik tedavi uygulanan hastalarda yasam süresi üzerine etki eden faktörler.

Massive pulmonary embolism (MPE) is a life threatening disease, thrombolytic treatment could save lives. The aims of this study are to identify early and late mortality rates in patients with MPE who received thrombolytic treatment, and mortality related risk factors. All the hospital records for the MPE patients who received thrombolytic treatment between 1998 and 2006 were retrospectively investigated. Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed through computed tomografi scan and V/P scintigraphy. Due to MPE, 21 women total 41 patients who undergo tPA or streptokinase were included in the study. Kaplan-Meier for the survival analysis and cox regression analysis for determining the mortality related independent risk factors were used. Dying while staying in hospital was accepted as early or hospital mortality, after discharge from hospital as late mortality. Out of 41 patients, 12 of them died while they are hospitalized (hospital mortality; 29%) 6 of them died after they were discharged (late mortality; 21%). The average survival time among discharged patients was 2304 days (95% confidence interval: 1725-2884). Among those patients who took streptokinase or tPA, late or early mortality rates (p> 0.05) and survival time did not show significant difference (p= 0.8908). The presence of arrhythmia [p= 0.01; odds rate (OR): 6.25] and jugular vein distention (JVD) (p= 0.03; OR: 6.25) for hospital mortality and multiple ongoing health problems for the late mortality were identified as the independent risk factors. For the hospital mortality, the presence of JVD or arrhythmia, for prognostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were recorded as 75%, 79%, 60% and 88% respectively. In conclusion, the presence of arrhythmia and/or JVD on a patient with MPE is a negative prognostic factor for hospital mortality. The presence of other ongoing health problems influences the survival time of the discharged patients.