Cardiac function in critically ill patients with severe COVID: A prospective cross-sectional study in mechanically ventilated patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate cardiac function in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional multicenter study in four university-affiliated hospitals in Chile. All consecutive patients with COVID-19 ARDS requiring mechanical ventilation admitted between April and July 2020 were included. We performed systematic transthoracic echocardiography assessing right and left ventricular function within 24 h of intubation. RESULTS: 140 patients aged 57 ± 11, 29% female were included. Cardiac output was 5.1 L/min [IQR 4.5-6.2] and 86% of the patients required norepinephrine. ICU mortality was 29% (40 patients). Fifty-four patients (39%) exhibited right ventricle dilation out of whom 20 patients (14%) exhibited acute cor pulmonale (ACP). Eight out of the twenty patients with ACP exhibited pulmonary embolism (40%). Thirteen patients (9%) exhibited left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <45%). In the multivariate analysis acute cor pulmonale and PaO2/FiO2 ratio were independent predictors of ICU mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Right ventricular dilation is highly prevalent in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 ARDS. Acute cor pulmonale was associated with reduced pulmonary function and, in only 40% of patients, with co-existing pulmonary embolism. Acute cor pulmonale is an independent risk factor for ICU mortality.

Critical care echocardiography in prone position patients during COVID-19 pandemic: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: Critical care echocardiography is a fundamental tool in the hemodynamic evaluation of critically ill patients and prone position ventilation might limit its application. We aim to evaluate the feasibility of transthoracic echocardiography to assess different measurements performed in prone vs supine position in patients during COVID-19 pandemic to answer our research question: What is the feasibility of classic echocardiographic measurements in COVID-19 patients in prone position ventilation? METHODS: Patients with covid-19 admitted to ICUs in four academic hospitals with respiratory failure and on mechanical ventilation were evaluated with critical care echocardiography. The first ultrasound assessment was compared between prone and supine patients recording feasibility of several echocardiographic measurements, using Fisher's exact test complementing with Crombach's Alpha. RESULTS: 139 patients were included. Sixty-eight (49%) were evaluated in prone position and seventy one (51%) in supine position. Most variables were highly feasible, left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction were more possible to obtain in prone position, while cardiac output was in supine position. Tricuspid regurgitation was the least feasible overall measurement. CONCLUSION: Prone position ultrasound achieved a high feasibility of measurements compared with supine ultrasound in critically ill patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure and on mechanical ventilation. REGISTRATION: Post hoc analysis of Echo-COVID study (NTC04628195, registered November 13, 2020, retrospectively registered).

[Giant coronary artery fistula: Report of one case]. / Fístula coronaria gigante. Presentación clínica, caracterización angiográfica, tratamiento y seguimiento a largo plazo: Caso clínico.

Coronary artery fistulae are abnormal connections between a coronary artery and any cardiac chamber or other vessels. Most of them have a congenital origin. We report a 60 years old woman referring a history of progressive dyspnea and orthopnea during the last year. A continuous heart murmur was audible in the third and fourth intercostal spaces at the left sternal border. Electrocardiogram was normal and echocardiography showed mild dilation of right cavities and an image suggesting a dilated right coronary artery with flow to right atrium. Coronary angiography was performed, showing a normal left coronary artery and a very large, tortuous right coronary artery with an extensive communication to coronary venous sinus. Surgical treatment was decided and was performed without incidents. The patient is well after five years of follow up.

Fístula coronaria gigante. Presentación clínica, caracterización angiográfica, tratamiento y seguimiento a largo plazo: caso clínico / Giant coronary artery fistula: report of one case

Coronary artery fistulae are abnormal connections between a coronary artery and any cardiac chamber or other vessels. Most of them have a congenital origin. We report a 60 years old woman referring a history of progressive dyspnea and orthopnea during the last year. A continuous heart murmur was audible in the third and fourth intercostal spaces at the left sternal border. Electrocardiogram was normal and echocardiography showed mild dilation of right cavities and an image suggesting a dilated right coronary artery with flow to right atrium. Coronary angiography was performed, showing a normal left coronary artery and a very large, tortuous right coronary artery with an extensive communication to coronary venous sinus. Surgical treatment was decided and was performed without incidents. The patient is well after five years of follow up.

High-volume hemofiltration and prone ventilation in subarachnoid hemorrhage complicated by severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and refractory septic shock.

We report the successful treatment of two patients with aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage complicated by severe respiratory failure and refractory septic shock using simultaneous prone position ventilation and high-volume hemofiltration. These rescue therapies allowed the patients to overcome the critical situation without associated complications and with no detrimental effects on the intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressures. Prone position ventilation is now an accepted therapy for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, and high-volume hemofiltration is a non-conventional hemodynamic support that has several potential mechanisms for improving septic shock. In this manuscript, we briefly review these therapies and the related evidence. When other conventional treatments are insufficient for providing safe limits of oxygenation and perfusion as part of basic neuroprotective care in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients, these rescue therapies should be considered on a case-by-case basis by an experienced critical care team.

Hemofiltração de alto volume e ventilação em posição prona em hemorragia subaracnóidea complicada por grave síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo e choque séptico refratário / High-volume hemofiltration and prone ventilation in subarachnoid hemorrhage complicated by severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and refractory septic shock

Relatamos o tratamento bem-sucedido de dois pacientes com hemorragia subaracnóidea complicada com grave falência respiratória e choque séptico refratário, utilizando, simultaneamente, ventilação em posição prona e hemofiltração de alto volume. Esses tratamentos de resgate permitiram que os pacientes superassem a grave situação sem complicações associadas ou efeitos deletérios na pressão intracraniana e de perfusão cerebral. A ventilação em posição prona é, hoje, um tratamento aceito para síndrome de desconforto respiratório agudo grave, e a hemofiltração de alto volume é um suporte hemodinâmico não convencional, que tem diversos mecanismos potenciais para melhorar o choque séptico. Neste artigo revisamos brevemente esses tratamentos e as evidências relacionadas. Quando outras terapias convencionais são insuficientes para proporcionar oxigenação e perfusão como parte do cuidado neuroprotetor básico dentro de limites seguros em pacientes com hemorragia subaracnóidea, esses tratamentos de resgate podem ser considerados caso a caso por uma equipe com experiência em cuidados críticos.

We report the successful treatment of two patients with aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage complicated by severe respiratory failure and refractory septic shock using simultaneous prone position ventilation and high-volume hemofiltration. These rescue therapies allowed the patients to overcome the critical situation without associated complications and with no detrimental effects on the intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressures. Prone position ventilation is now an accepted therapy for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, and high-volume hemofiltration is a non-conventional hemodynamic support that has several potential mechanisms for improving septic shock. In this manuscript, we briefly review these therapies and the related evidence. When other conventional treatments are insufficient for providing safe limits of oxygenation and perfusion as part of basic neuroprotective care in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients, these rescue therapies should be considered on a case-by-case basis by an experienced critical care team.

Infarto agudo al miocardio en el adulto mayor: Características clínicas, evolución hospitalaria y a 5 años plazo / Features of acute myocardial infarction among aged patients

Background: Among aged patients, acute myocardial infarction has more complications and there is a tendency to underuse proven treatments. Aim: To report the features of acute myocardial infarction among aged patients. Material and Methods: Analysis of a registry of patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to a coronary unit. For the purposes of analysis, patients aged 65 years or more were selected. Follow up was made consulting medical records, calling patients by telephone or consulting death records at the National Identification Service. Results: A total of 1.358 patients were admitted in the study period with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and 580 (43%) were aged 65years or more. On admission, this age group had a higher frequency of hemodynamic instability and anterior wall infarctions. Reperfusion therapy and beta blockers were used less commonly in this group. Hospital mortality among patients younger or older than 65 year was 8 and 25%, respectively (p < 0.01). Among aged patients, five years mortality was 33%. Conclusions: Among aged patients, acute myocardial infarction has a higher risk profile on admission, is usually undertreated and has higher mortality than younger subjects.

[Features of acute myocardial infarction among aged patients]. / Infarto agudo al miocardio en el adulto mayor: características clínicas, evolución hospitalaria y a 5 años plazo.

BACKGROUND: Among aged patients, acute myocardial infarction has more complications and there is a tendency to underuse proven treatments. AIM: To report the features of acute myocardial infarction among aged patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of a registry of patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to a coronary unit. For the purposes of analysis, patients aged 65 years or more were selected. Follow up was made consulting medical records, calling patients by telephone or consulting death records at the National Identification Service. RESULTS: A total of 1.358 patients were admitted in the study period with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction and 580 (43%) were aged 65 years or more. On admission, this age group had a higher frequency of hemodynamic instability and anterior wall infarctions. Reperfusion therapy and beta blockers were used less commonly in this group. Hospital mortality among patients younger or older than 65 year was 8 and 25%, respectively (p < 0.01). Among aged patients, five years mortality was 33%. CONCLUSIONS: Among aged patients, acute myocardial infarction has a higher risk profile on admission, is usually undertreated and has higher mortality than younger subjects.

[Primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction with an anomalous origin of right coronary artery: report of one case]. / Angioplastía primaria en infarto agudo al miocardio en arteria coronaria derecha con origen anómalo: caso clínico.

Anomalous origin of coronary arteries is a rare anatomical defect and its association with acute myocardial infarction is unusual. We report a 58-year-old male with ST-Segment elevation. Myocardial infarction of the inferior wall caused by a total occlusion on the proximal third of an anomalous right coronary artery, that was effectively treated with primary angioplasty with stent placement. The patient had a favorable outcome and is asymptomatic after five years of follow up.

Angioplastía primaria en infarto agudo al miocardio en arteria coronaria derecha con origen anómalo: Caso clínico / Primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction with an anomalous origin of right coronary artery: Report of one case

Anomalous origin of coronary arteries is a rare anatomical defect and its association with acute myocardial infarction is unusual. We report a 58-year-old male with ST-Segment elevation. Myocardial infarction of the inferior wall caused by a total occlusion on the proximal third of an anomalous right coronary artery, that was effectively treated with primary angioplasty with stent placement. The patient had a favorable outcome and is asymptomatic after five years of follow up.

Terapia de reperfusión en infarto agudo al miocardio: Comparación entre trombolisis endovenosa y angioplastía coronaria / Angioplasty compared to thrombolysis as the initial reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction

Background: Primary angioplasty is superior to intravenous thrombolysis as reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction. Aim: To compare the results of available reperfusion strategies for initial management of acute myocardial infarction during hospitalization and 5 years follow up. Patients and Methods: Historical cohort study from a prospective registry of patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction to our center. Patients treated with primary angioplasty were identified and were then matched by age, sex and date of event with patients treated with throm-bolysis. The clinical outcomes were compared including hospitalization and 5-years follow-up. Results: From March 1993 to August 2001, 98 patients were treated with primary angioplasty and matched with 98 thrombolyzed patients. The groups were comparable. Compared to thrombolysis, angioplasty had a higher success rate (68 and 91% respectively), resulted in less complications and reduced mortality (11 and 2% respectively), required less revascularization procedures and shorter hospital stay (17 and 13 days, respectively). During the follow-up of survivors, no differences in events or additional mortality were detected at 1 or 5years. Conclusions: Primary angioplasty is superior as treatment in terms of achieving success and reducing mortality during hospitalization. Evolution after hospitalization is independent of initial therapy.

Hematoma subcapsular esplénico en paciente portador de rasgo falciforme / Sub capsular splenic hematoma in a sickle cell trait carrier. Case report

Drepanocytic anemia is an uncommon hereditary disease in Chile. The heterozygous state of drepanocytic anemia or "sickle trait" has a frequency of 8 percent among Afro-Americans. A small number of patients carrying hemoglobin S are homozygous, with clinical manifestations of hemolytic anemia and thrombotic disease. Sickle trait is usually asymptomatic. We report a 59-year-old male who presented an acute abdominal pain and dyspnea while staying at high altitude. Six days later, an angio CAT scan showed the presence of a subcapsular splenic hematoma that was managed conservatively. Sickle cell induction with sodium metabisulphite was positive. Hemoglobin electrophoresis confirmed the sickle trait.

[Angioplasty compared to thrombolysis as the initial reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction]. / Terapia de reperfusión en infarto agudo al miocardio: Comparación entre trombolisis endovenosa y angioplastía coronaria.

BACKGROUND: Primary angioplasty is superior to intravenous thrombolysis as reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction. AIM: To compare the results of available reperfusion strategies for initial management of acute myocardial infarction during hospitalization and 5 years follow up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Historical cohort study from a prospective registry of patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction to our center. Patients treated with primary angioplasty were identified and were then matched by age, sex and date of event with patients treated with throm-bolysis. The clinical outcomes were compared including hospitalization and 5-years follow-up. RESULTS: From March 1993 to August 2001, 98 patients were treated with primary angioplasty and matched with 98 thrombolyzed patients. The groups were comparable. Compared to thrombolysis, angioplasty had a higher success rate (68 and 91% respectively), resulted in less complications and reduced mortality (11 and 2% respectively), required less revascularization procedures and shorter hospital stay (17 and 13 days, respectively). During the follow-up of survivors, no differences in events or additional mortality were detected at 1 or 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Primary angioplasty is superior as treatment in terms of achieving success and reducing mortality during hospitalization. Evolution after hospitalization is independent of initial therapy.

[Sub capsular splenic hematoma in a sickle cell trait carrier. Case report]. / Hematoma subcapsular esplénico en paciente portador de rasgo falciforme.

Drepanocytic anemia is an uncommon hereditary disease in Chile. The heterozygous state of drepanocytic anemia or "sickle trait" has a frequency of 8% among Afro-Americans. A small number of patients carrying hemoglobin S are homozygous, with clinical manifestations of hemolytic anemia and thrombotic disease. Sickle trait is usually asymptomatic. We report a 59-year-old male who presented an acute abdominal pain and dyspnea while staying at high altitude. Six days later, an angio CAT scan showed the presence of a subcapsular splenic hematoma that was managed conservatively. Sickle cell induction with sodium metabisulphite was positive. Hemoglobin electrophoresis confirmed the sickle trait.

[Coronary artery origin anomalies. Analysis of 10.000 coronary angiographies]. / Nacimiento anómalo de las arterias coronarias en 10.000 pacientes adultos sometidos a coronariografía.

BACKGROUND: Between 0.3 and 1.3% of coronary arteries, have anomalous origins. Circumflex artery has the higher frequency of anomalies. AIM: To study the frequency of congenital anomalous origins of coronary arteries among adult patients subjected to a coronary angiography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of reports of 10,000 coronary angiographies performed in a clinical hospital. Patients with congenital heart disease were excluded. RESULTS: One hundred twenty nine patients (1.3%), aged 59 +/- 12years (70% males) had congenital anomalies in the origin of coronary arteries. The most common anomaly was the origin of right coronary artery from the left coronary sinus in 75%, followed from the origin of circumflex artery from the right side in 20%o. No association between origin anomalies and atherosclerosis or aortic valve disease, was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of patients, origin anomalies of coronary arteries were not associated with aortic valve disease or atherosclerosis, differing from other published reports. Right coronary artery had the highest frequency of anomalies.

Nacimiento anómalo de las arterias coronarias en 10.000 pacientes adultos sometidos a coronariografía / Coronary artery origin anomalies. Analysis of 10.000 coronary angiographies

Background: Between 0.3 and 1.3 percent of coronary arteries, have anomalous origins. Circumflex artery has the higher frequency of anomalies. Aim: To study the frequency of congenital anomalous origins of coronary arteries among adult patients subjected to a coronary angiography. Material and Methods: Analysis of reports of 10,000 coronary angiographies performed in a clinical hospital. Patients with congenital heart disease were excluded. Results: One hundred twenty nine patients (1.3 percent), aged 59 ± 12years (70 percent males) had congenital anomalies in the origin of coronary arteries. The most common anomaly was the origin of right coronary artery from the left coronary sinus in 75 percent, followed from the origin of circumflex artery from the right side in 20 percento. No association between origin anomalies and atherosclerosis or aortic valve disease, was observed. Conclusions: In this series of patients, origin anomalies of coronary arteries were not associated with aortic valve disease or atherosclerosis, differing from other published reports. Right coronary artery had the highest frequency of anomalies.