Computed Tomography to Exclude Cardiac Thrombus in Atrial Fibrillation-An 11-Year Experience from an Academic Emergency Department.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) could be a suitable method for acute exclusion of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) prior to cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) at the emergency department. Our aim was to present our experiences with this modality in recent years. METHODS: This registry-based observational study was performed at the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. We studied all consecutive patients with AF and AFL who underwent CT between January 2012 and January 2023 to rule out LAAT before cardioversion to sinus rhythm was attempted. Follow-ups were conducted by telephone and electronic medical records. The main variables of interest were the rate of LAAT and ischemic stroke at follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 234 patients (143 [61%] men; median age 68 years [IQR 57-76], median CHA2DS2-VASc 2 [IQR 1-4]) were analyzed. Follow-up was completed in 216 (92%) patients after a median of 506 (IQR 159-1391) days. LAAT was detected in eight patients (3%). A total of 163 patients (72%) in whom LAAT was excluded by CT were eventually successfully cardioverted to sinus rhythm. No adverse events occurred during their ED stay. All patients received anticoagulation according to the CHA2DS2-VASc risk stratification, and no patient had suffered an ischemic stroke at follow-up, resulting in an incidence risk of ischemic strokes of 0% (95% CI 0.0-1.2%). CONCLUSION: LAAT was rare in patients admitted to the ED with AF and AFL who underwent cardiac CT prior to attempted cardioversion. At follow-up, no patient had suffered an ischemic stroke. Prospective studies need to show whether this strategy is suitable for the acute treatment of symptomatic AF in the emergency setting.

Ultra-low-dose CT vs. chest X-ray in non-traumatic emergency department patients - a prospective randomised crossover cohort trial.

Background: Ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT) examinations of the chest at only twice the radiation dose of a chest X-ray (CXR) now offer a valuable imaging alternative to CXR. This trial prospectively compares ULDCT and CXR for the detection rate of diagnoses and their clinical relevance in a low-prevalence cohort of non-traumatic emergency department patients. Methods: In this prospective crossover cohort trial, 294 non-traumatic emergency department patients with a clinically indicated CXR were included between May 2nd and November 26th of 2019 (www.clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03922516). All participants received both CXR and ULDCT, and were randomized into two arms with inverse reporting order. The detection rate of CXR was calculated from 'arm CXR' (n = 147; CXR first), and of ULDCT from 'arm ULDCT' (n = 147; ULDCT first). Additional information reported by the second exam in each arm was documented. From all available clinical and imaging data, expert radiologists and emergency physicians built a compound reference standard, including radiologically undetectable diagnoses, and assigned each finding to one of five clinical relevance categories for the respective patient. Findings: Detection rates for main diagnoses by CXR and ULDCT (mean effective dose: 0.22 mSv) were 9.1% (CI [5.2, 15.5]; 11/121) and 20.1% (CI [14.2, 27.7]; 27/134; P = 0.016), respectively. As an additional imaging modality, ULDCT added 9.1% (CI [5.2, 15.5]; 11/121) of main diagnoses to prior CXRs, whereas CXRs did not add a single main diagnosis (0/134; P < 0.001). Notably, ULDCT also offered higher detection rates than CXR for all other clinical relevance categories, including findings clinically irrelevant for the respective emergency department visit with 78.5% (CI [74.0, 82.5]; 278/354) vs. 16.2% (CI [12.7, 20.3]; 58/359) as a primary modality and 68.2% (CI [63.3, 72.8]; 245/359) vs. 2.5% (CI [1.3, 4.7]; 9/354) as an additional imaging modality. Interpretation: In non-traumatic emergency department patients, ULDCT of the chest offered more than twice the detection rate for main diagnoses compared to CXR. Funding: The Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy of Medical University of Vienna received funding from Siemens Healthineers (Erlangen, Germany) to employ two research assistants for one year.

Hemodynamic and Rhythmologic Effects of Push-Dose Landiolol in Critical Care-A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The highly ß1-selective beta-blocker Landiolol is known to facilitate efficient and safe rate control in non-compensatory tachycardia or dysrhythmia when administered continuously. However, efficacy and safety data of the also-available bolus formulation in critically ill patients are scarce. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study on a real-life cohort of critical care patients, who had been treated with push-dose Landiolol due to sudden-onset non-compensatory supraventricular tachycardia. Continuous hemodynamic data had been acquired via invasive blood pressure monitoring. RESULTS: Thirty patients and 49 bolus applications were analyzed. Successful heart rate control was accomplished in 20 (41%) cases, rhythm control was achieved in 13 (27%) episodes, and 16 (33%) applications showed no effect. Overall, the heart rate was significantly lower (145 (130-150) vs. 105 (100-125) bpm, p < 0.001) in a 90 min post-application observational period in all subgroups. The median changes in blood pressure after the bolus application did not reach clinical significance. Compared with the ventilation settings before the bolus application, the respiratory settings including the required FiO2 after the bolus application did not differ significantly. No serious adverse events were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Push-dose Landiolol was safe and effective in critically ill ICU patients. No clinically relevant impact on blood pressure was noted.

Association Between Postresuscitation 12-Lead ECG Features and Early Mortality After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Post Hoc Subanalysis of the PEACE Study.

Background Once the return of spontaneous circulation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is achieved, a 12-lead ECG is strongly recommended to identify candidates for urgent coronary angiography. ECG has no apparent role in mortality risk stratification. We aimed to assess whether ECG features could be associated with 30-day survival in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods and Results All the post-return of spontaneous circulation ECGs from January 2015 to December 2018 in 3 European centers (Pavia, Lugano, and Vienna) were collected. Prehospital data were collected according to the Utstein style. A total of 370 ECGs were collected: 287 men (77.6%) with a median age of 62 years (interquartile range, 53-70 years). After correction for the return of spontaneous circulation-to-ECG time, age >62 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.78 [95% CI, 1.21-2.61]; P=0.003), female sex (HR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.05-2.13]; P=0.025), QRS wider than 120 ms (HR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.43-1.87]; P<0.001), the presence of a Brugada pattern (HR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.39-1.59]; P<0.001), and the presence of ST-segment elevation in >1 segment (HR, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.59-1.93]; P<0.001) were independently associated with 30-day mortality. A score ranging from 0 to 26 was created, and by dividing the population into 3 tertiles, 3 classes of risk were found with significantly different survival rate at 30 days (score 0-4, 73%; score 5-7, 66%; score 8-26, 45%). Conclusions The post-return of spontaneous circulation ECG can identify patients who are at high risk of mortality after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest earlier than other forms of prognostication. This provides important risk stratification possibilities in postcardiac arrest care that could help to direct treatments and improve outcomes in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Arterial stiffness in acute coronary syndrome as a potential triage tool: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are time-sensitive. Triage and algorithms identify patients at high-risk. However, additional prediction tools are warranted for prioritized care based on predicted coronary pathologies and PCI complexity. Pulse-wave velocity (PWV) is a non-invasive measurement related to cardiovascular morbidity, and their exact value in ACS evaluation is unclear. METHODS: In patients undergoing coronary angiography (CA) and - if warranted - PCI for ACS evaluation at a tertiary university hospital in Vienna, Austria, brachial-ankle (ba)PWV and carotid-femoral (cf)PWV were prospectively measured from January 2020 to January 2021. RESULTS: PWV was measured in 58 patients (60.3% male; 65 [61-69] years). Risk prediction scores (GRACE, CRUSADE, TIMI), cardiac enzymes, and fraction of patients with a three-vessel disease were significantly higher in the pathological PWV ranges. Adjusted for age and comorbidities, baPWV independently predicted the LAD being relevantly stenotic (crude OR=1.416 [1.143-1.755], P=0.001; adjusted OR=1.340 [1.039-1.727], P=0.024; cut-off 15.5 m/s in CART-analysis), being the culprit lesion (crude OR=1.320 [1.094-1.594], P=0.004; adjusted OR=1.311 [1.037-1.657], P=0.024; cut-off 15.5 m/s), and being totally occluded (crude OR=1.422 [1.113-1.818], P=0.005; adjusted OR=1.677 [1.189-2.366], P=0.003; cut-off 19.6 m/s). Moreover, CA or PCI complexity were associated with higher PWV. CONCLUSIONS: Pathological PWV as a surrogate for arterial stiffness, polyvascular disease and a larger atherosclerotic burden was associated with GRACE, CRUSADE, and TIMI scores, and PCI duration and complexity. BaPWV independently predicted relevant LAD pathologies, and is suggested as a potential novel triage and prioritization tool for suspected NSTE-ACS in emergency departments.

Association of Intravenous Potassium and Magnesium Administration With Spontaneous Conversion of Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter in the Emergency Department.

Importance: Whether the simultaneous intravenous administration of potassium and magnesium is associated with the probability of spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm (SCV) in the acute treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) is unknown. Objective: To assess potassium and magnesium administration and SCV probability in AF and AFL in the emergency department. Design, Setting, and Participants: A registry-based cohort study was conducted in the Department of Emergency Medicine of the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. All consecutive patients with AF or AFL were screened between February 6, 2009, and February 16, 2020. Interventions: Intravenous administration of potassium, 24 mEq, and magnesium, 145.8 mg. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the probability of SCV during the patient's stay in the emergency department. Multivariable cluster-adjusted logistic regression was used to estimate the association between potassium and magnesium administration and the probability of SCV. Results: A total of 2546 episodes of nonpermanent AF (median patient age, 68 [IQR, 58-75] years, 1411 [55.4%] men) and 573 episodes of nonpermanent AFL (median patient age, 68 [IQR, 58-75] years; 332 [57.9%] men) were observed. In AF episodes, intravenous potassium and magnesium administration vs no administration was associated with increased odds of SCV (19.2% vs 10.4%; odds ratio [OR], 1.98; 95% CI, 1.53-2.57). In AFL episodes, in contrast, no association was noted for the probability of SCV with potassium and magnesium vs no administration (13.0% vs 12.5%; OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.65-1.69). Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this registry-based cohort study on intravenous administration of potassium and magnesium suggest an increased probability of SCV in nonpermanent AF, but not AFL, during a patients' stay in the emergency department.

Body Weight Counts-Cardioversion with Vernakalant or Ibutilide at the Emergency Department.

AIM: Medication for the pharmacological cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) is applied either in a fixed dose or adapted to body weight. Individual body weight might be a relevant confounder for anti-arrhythmic treatment success. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of body weight on pharmacological cardioversion success, comparing weight adapted (Vernakalant) and fixed dose (Ibutilide) pharmacotherapeutic cardioversion regimes. METHODS: Within this prospective observational trial, a total of 316 episodes of AF and AFL were enrolled. Patients were stratified in either a Vernakalant (n = 181) or Ibutilide (n = 135) treatment arm, based on the chosen regime, for direct comparison of treatment efficacy. RESULTS: Conversion to sinus rhythm was achieved in 76.3% of all cases. Of note, there was no difference comparing the Vernakalant and Ibutilide treatment arms (Vernakalant 76.2% vs. Ibutilide 76.3%; p = 0.991). Within the whole study population, decreasing conversion rates with increasing body weight (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.69 (0.51-0.94); p = 0.018) were observed. An independent effect of body weight within the Ibutilide treatment arm was noted, which remained stable after adjustment for potential confounders (adjusted OR = 0.55 (0.38-0.92), p = 0.022. CONCLUSION: Both, the Vernakalant and Ibutilide treatment arms showed comparable rates of treatment success in pharmacotherapeutic cardioversion of AF and AFL. Of utmost importance, we observed that the fixed dose of Ibutilide-as compared to the weight-adapted dose of Vernakalant-showed a reduced treatment success with increasing body weight.

Adult Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection and Hypoxic Cardiac Arrest-Coexistent or Causal? A Hypothesis-Generating Case Report.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a well-known pathogen in paediatric patients. However, it also causes substantial morbidity and mortality in adults, posing a major healthcare problem. We present a patient with chronic pulmonary conditions and an acute RSV infection, thus leading to cardiac arrest (CA). We speculate that RSV as the causative agent for CA should be considered in post-resuscitation care. From a wider public health perspective, immuno-naivety for RSV caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic may induce a severe rise in cases, morbidity, and mortality in the future.

The ABC-Stroke Score Refines Stroke Risk Stratification in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation at the Emergency Department.

Aims: To evaluate the performance of the ABC (Age, Biomarkers, Clinical history) and CHA2DS2-VASc stroke scores under real-world conditions in an emergency setting. Methods and Results: The performance of the biomarker-based ABC-stroke score and the clinical variable-based CHA2DS2-VASc score for stroke risk assessment were prospectively evaluated in a consecutive series of 2,108 patients with acute symptomatic atrial fibrillation at a tertiary care emergency department. Performance was assessed according to methods for the development and validation of clinical prediction models by Steyerberg et al. and the Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis. During a cumulative observation period of 3,686 person-years, the stroke incidence rate was 1.66 per 100 person-years. Overall, the ABC-stroke and CHA2DS2-VASc scores revealed respective c-indices of 0.64 and 0.55 for stroke prediction. Risk-class hazard ratios comparing moderate to low and high to low were 3.51 and 2.56 for the ABC-stroke score and 1.10 and 1.62 for the CHA2DS2-VASc score. The ABC-stroke score also provided improved risk stratification in patients with moderate stroke risk according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score, who lack clear recommendations regarding anticoagulation therapy (HR: 4.35, P = 0.001). Decision curve analysis indicated a superior net clinical benefit of using the ABC-stroke score. Conclusion: In a large, real-world cohort of patients with acute atrial fibrillation in the emergency department, the ABC-stroke score was superior to the guideline-recommended CHA2DS2-VASc score at predicting stroke risk and refined risk stratification of patients labeled moderate risk by the CHA2DS2-VASc score, potentially easing treatment decision-making.

Cardioversion of Post-Ablation Atrial Tachyarrhythmia with Ibutilide and Amiodarone: A Registry-Based Cohort Study.

Patients with recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter constitute a rapidly growing cohort, but study-driven treatment recommendations are lacking. The present study aimed to compare the cardioversion success of ibutilide and amiodarone in patients with post-ablation atrial tachyarrhythmia. We included all episodes of post-ablation atrial tachyarrhythmia in patients treated with either intravenous ibutilide or amiodarone at an academic emergency department from 2010 to 2018. The primary endpoint was the conversion to sinus rhythm. The conversion rates were stratified by arrhythmia type, and multivariable cluster-adjusted logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of ibutilide and amiodarone on cardioversion success, given as the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). In total, 109 episodes of 72 patients were analyzed. The conversion rates were 37/49 (76%) for ibutilide and 16/60 (27%) for amiodarone. Compared to amiodarone, ibutilide was associated with higher odds of conversion (multivariable cluster-adjusted OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.3-24.3). The cardioversion success of ibutilide was the highest in atrial flutter (crude OR 19.5, 95% CI 3.4-112.5) and focal atrial tachycardia (crude OR 8.3, 95% CI 1.5-47.2), but it was less pronounced in atrial fibrillation (crude OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.2-17.2). Randomized trials are warranted to confirm our findings.

Prediction of Successful Pharmacological Cardioversion in Acute Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation: The Successful Intravenous Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation (SIC-AF) Score.

Background: Modern personalised medicine requires patient-tailored decisions. This is particularly important when considering pharmacological cardioversion for the acute treatment of haemodynamically stable atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter in a shared decision-making process. We aimed to develop and validate a predictive model to estimate the individual probability of successful pharmacological cardioversion using different intravenous antiarrhythmic agents. Methods: We analysed data from a prospective atrial fibrillation registry comprising 3053 cases of first-detected or recurrent haemodynamically stable, non-permanent, symptomatic atrial fibrillation presenting to an Austrian academic emergency department between January 2012 and December 2017. Using multivariable analysis, a prediction score was developed and externally validated. The clinical utility of the score was assessed using decision curve analysis. Results: A total of 1528 cases were included in the development cohort (median age 69 years, IQR 58−76; 43.9% female), and 1525 cases were included in the validation cohort (median age 68 years, IQR (58−75); 39.5% female). Finally, 421 cases were available for score development and 330 cases for score validation The weighted score included atrial flutter (8 points), duration of symptoms associated with AF (<24 h; 8 points), absence of previous electrical cardioversion (10 points), and the specific intravenous antiarrhythmic drug (amiodarone 10 points, vernakalant 11 points, ibutilide 13 points). The final score, the "Successful Intravenous Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation (SIC-AF) score," showed good calibration (R2 = 0.955 and R2 = 0.954) and discrimination in both sets (c-indices: 0.68 and 0.66) and net clinical benefit. Conclusions: A predictive model was developed to estimate the success of intravenous pharmacological cardioversion using different antiarrhythmic agents in a cohort of patients with haemodynamically stable, non-permanent, symptomatic atrial fibrillation. External temporal validation confirmed good calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness. The SIC-AF score may help patients and physicians jointly decide on the appropriate treatment strategy for acute symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Registration: NCT03272620.

The Feasibility of Ultra-Sensitive Phonocardiography in Acute Chest Pain Patients of a Tertiary Care Emergency Department (ScorED Feasibility Study).

BACKGROUND: Thoracic pain is one of the most frequent chief complaints at emergency departments (EDs). However, a respective workup in cases without clear electrocardiographic signs is complex. In addition, after having ruled out acute coronary syndrome (ACS), patients are often left with an unclear etiology of their symptoms. Ultra-sensitive phonocardiography is already used to rule out stable coronary artery disease (CAD); however, its feasibility in an ED-setting remains unknown. METHODS: We prospectively used ultra-sensitive phonocardiography via the CADScor®System to measure hemodynamically stable patients with the chief complaint of chest pain during routine waiting times at a high-volume tertiary ED. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients (49% male; 94% Caucasian; 61 (51-71) years; BMI 28.3 (24.2-31.6)) were enrolled. Patient workflow was not hindered, and no adverse events were recorded. In 80% of cases, a score was successfully calculated, with 74% at the first, 5% at the second, and 1% at the third attempt. Feasibility was judged as 9.0 (±1.8) by the patients, and 8.9 (±2.6) by the investigators on a 10-point Likert scale. CONCLUSIONS: Ultra-sensitive phonocardiography was found to be feasible in acute chest pain patients presenting to a tertiary ED. Thus, the CAD score measured during routine waiting times could potentially serve as an additional tool in a diagnostic pathway for thoracic pain.

Very long-term survivors of in-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest show considerable impairment of daily life.

BACKGROUND: Reliable data on long-term outcomes after cardiac arrest (CA) remain scarce. Identifying factors persistently impacting the quality of life after CA is crucial to improve long-term outcomes. METHODS: Adult in- and out-of-hospital CA patients surviving to hospital discharge between 1996 and 2015 were retrospectively included. We classified survivors in stages of survival time and assessed long-term survival and quality of life by contacting patients via a standardized telephone questionnaire including the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). RESULTS: Of 4,234 patients, 1,573 (37.2%) survived to hospital discharge. Among those, 693(44.1%) were alive at the time of the interview. We obtained interviews in 178 patients at a survival time of 7.8 (4.2-12.6) years. Younger age, female gender, and shorter duration of initial hospitalization and coma were associated with long-term survival. Conversely, higher median age at time of CA predicted poor outcome (mRS ≥ 3) and impaired quality of daily life. Around 25% declared being impaired in mobility, with female gender and higher age being predictors. Impairment in personal care and hygiene was stated in 11.8%, and activities of daily life such as shopping troubled 33.1%. Chronic pain impairing daily life was reported in 47.2% of cases, and lower socioeconomic status was suggestive of unfavourable outcome. CONCLUSION: Very long-term survivors showed considerable impairment of quality of life in terms of reduced mobility, self-care, or chronic pain. Higher age at time of CA and lower socioeconomic status showed worse outcomes. A more personalized screening of survivors for risk factors and long-term support are suggested.

BLS courses for refugees are feasible and induce commitment towards lay rescuer resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: High-quality Basic Life Support (BLS), the first step in the Utstein formula for survival, needs effective education for all kinds of population groups. The feasibility of BLS courses for refugees is not well investigated yet. METHODS: We conducted BLS courses including automated external defibrillator (AED) training for refugees in Austria from 2016 to 2019. Pre-course and after course attitudes and knowledge towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were assessed via questionnaires in the individuals' native languages, validated by native speaker interpreters. RESULTS: We included 147 participants (66% male; 22 [17-34] years; 28% <18 years) from 19 countries (74% from the Middle East). While the availability of BLS courses in the participants' home countries was low (37%), we noted increased awareness towards CPR and AED use after our courses. Willingness to perform CPR increased from 25% to 99%. A positive impact on the participants' perception of integration into their new environment was noted after CPR training. Higher level of education, male gender, age <18 years and past traumatizing experiences positively affected willingness or performance of CPR. CONCLUSION: BLS education for refugees is feasible and increases their willingness to perform CPR in emergency situations, with the potential to improve survival after cardiac arrest. Individuals with either past traumatizing experiences, higher education or those <18 years might be eligible for advanced life support education. Interestingly, these BLS courses bear the potential to foster resilience and integration. Therefore, CPR education for refuge should be generally offered and further evaluated.

Excess short-term mortality in noncritical patients with atrial fibrillation presenting to the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Mortality data of non-critically ill patients presenting with symptomatic atrial fibrillation to an emergency department are scarce. We aimed to analyze the short-term mortality of these patients compared with that of the general Austrian population. DESIGN/METHODS: This study analyzed a consecutive series of non-critically ill adults presenting to the emergency department at the Medical University of Vienna between 2012 and 2016 with complaints related to atrial fibrillation. The study outcome was mortality during the observation period. Age-specific and sex-specific mortality rates per 100 person-years were calculated and compared with the mortality rates of the Austrian population during the same period. RESULTS: In total, 1754 patients with atrial fibrillation (43.1% female) were included in the study. During a median follow-up of 25 months, 248 of these patients died. Observed mortality rates were 7.8 per 100 person-years for females (95% confidence interval, CI 6.6-9.5) and 5.9 per 100 person-years for males (95% CI 5.0-7.1). Age-adjusted and sex-adjusted mortality rates were 2.8 (95% CI 2.3-3.3) and 2.7 (95% CI 2.2-3.2) per 100 person-years, respectively. Mortality rates for the Austrian population were 1.1 per 100 person-years for both females and males. Corresponding standardized mortality ratios were 2.5 for females (95% CI 2.1-3.0) and 2.4 for males (95% CI 2.0-2.9). CONCLUSION: The short-term mortality of patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation presenting to the emergency department was substantially higher compared with the general Austrian population.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in COVID-19: Case reports of a stepwise approach.

RATIONALE: The immunologic syndrome induced by severe acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is yet not fully understood. Typical patterns of clinical and laboratory features match secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH). However, the optimal approach to COVID-19 patients testing positive for sHLH is still unclear. PATIENT CONCERNS: Three patients with COVID-19 are reviewed. All showed hyperinflammation and cytokine storm, necessitating intensive care treatment including mechanical ventilation. DIAGNOSIS: Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis due to severe COVID-19; diagnosed via HScore. INTERVENTIONS: A treatment regimen of methylprednisolone, pentaglobin, and anakinra was developed and administered. OUTCOMES: One patient survived the ICU stay. Two other patients, in whom sHLH was diagnosed too late, deceased. LESSONS: A routine screening of COVID-19 patients for secondary HLH by using the HScore is feasible; especially those patients deteriorating clinically with no sufficient response to shock management might be at particular high risk. A stepwise therapeutic approach comprising corticosteroids, immunoglobulins and anakinra, accompanied by immunoadsorption, may dampen cytokine storm effects, and potentially reduce mortality.

Association of Timing of Electrocardiogram Acquisition After Return of Spontaneous Circulation With Coronary Angiography Findings in Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Importance: Electrocardiography (ECG) is an important tool to triage patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). An immediate coronary angiography after ROSC is recommended only in patients with an ECG that is diagnostic of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). To date, the benefit of this approach has not been demonstrated in patients with a post-ROSC ECG that is not diagnostic of STEMI. Objective: To assess whether the time from ROSC to ECG acquisition is associated with the diagnostic accuracy of ECG for STEMI. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective, multicenter cohort study (the Post-ROSC Electrocardiogram After Cardiac Arrest study) analyzed consecutive patients older than 18 years who were resuscitated from OHCA between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018, and were admitted to 1 of the 3 participating centers in Europe (Pavia, Italy; Lugano, Switzerland; and Vienna, Austria). Exposure: Only patients who underwent coronary angiography during hospitalization and who acquired a post-ROSC ECG before the angiography were enrolled. Patients with a nonmedical cause of OHCAs were excluded. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was false-positive ECG findings, defined as the percentage of patients with post-ROSC ECG findings that met STEMI criteria but who did not show obstructive coronary artery disease on angiography that was worthy of percutaneous coronary angioplasty. Results: Of 586 consecutive patients who were admitted to the 3 participating centers, 370 were included in the analysis (287 men [77.6%]; median age, 62 years [interquartile range, 53-70 years]); 121 (32.7%) were enrolled in the participating center in Pavia, Italy; 38 (10.3%) in Lugano, Switzerland; and 211 (57.0%) in Vienna, Austria. The percentage of false-positive ECG findings in the first tertile of ROSC to ECG time (≤7 minutes) was significantly higher than that in the second (8-33 minutes) and third (>33 minutes) tertiles: 18.5% in the first tertile vs 7.2% in the second (odds ratio [OR], 0.34; 95% CI, 0.13-0.87; P = .02) and 5.8% in the third (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.15-0.47; P < .001). These differences remained significant when adjusting for sex (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.12-0.85; P = .02; >33 minutes: OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.14-0.47; P < .001), age (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.13-0.89; P = .03; >33 minutes: OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.15-0.46; P < .001), number of segments with ST-elevation (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.15-0.81; P = .01; >33 minutes: OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.15-0.52; P < .001), QRS duration (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.14-0.87; P = .02; >33 minutes: OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.15-0.48; P < .001), heart rate (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13-0.93; P = .04; >33 minutes: OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.15-0.55; P < .001), epinephrine administered (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13-0.98; P = .045; >33 minutes: OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.16-0.48; P < .001), shockable initial rhythm (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13-0.96; P = .04; >33 minutes: OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.15-0.46; P < .001), and 3 or more shocks administered (≤7 minutes: reference; 8-33 minutes: OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.13-1.00; P = .05; >33 minutes: OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.16-0.48; P < .001) in bivariable analyses. Conclusions and Relevance: This study suggests that early ECG acquisition after ROSC in patients with OHCA is associated with a higher percentage of false-positive ECG findings for STEMI. It may be reasonable to delay post-ROSC ECG by at least 8 minutes after ROSC or repeat the acquisition if the first ECG is diagnostic of STEMI and is acquired early after ROSC.

Predicting spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm in symptomatic atrial fibrillation: The ReSinus score.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of patients presenting to the Emergency Department with hemodynamically stable symptomatic atrial fibrillation remains unclear. We aimed to develop and validate an easy-to-use score to predict the individual probability of spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm in these patients METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 2426 cases of first-detected or recurrent hemodynamically stable non-permanent symptomatic atrial fibrillation documented between January 2011 and January 2019 in an Austrian academic Emergency Department atrial fibrillation registry. Multivariable analysis was used to develop and validate a prediction score for spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm during Emergency Department visit. Clinical usefulness of the score was assessed using decision curve analysis RESULTS: 1420 cases were included in the derivation cohort (68years, 57-76; 43% female), 1006 cases were included in the validation cohort (69years, 58-76; 47% female). Six variables independently predicted spontaneous conversion. These included: duration of atrial fibrillation symptoms (<24hours), lack of prior cardioversion history, heart rate at admission (>125bpm), potassium replacement at K+ level ≤3.9mmol/l, NT-proBNP (<1300pg/ml) and lactate dehydrogenase level (<200U/l). A risk score weight was assigned to each variable allowing classification into low (0-2), medium (3-5) and moderate (6-8) probability of spontaneous conversion. The final score showed good calibration (p=0.44 and 0.40) and discrimination in both cohorts (c-indices: 0.74 and 0.67) and clinical net benefit CONCLUSION: The ReSinus score, which predicts spontaneous conversion to sinus rhythm, was developed and validated in a large cohort of patients with hemodynamically stable non-permanent symptomatic atrial fibrillation and showed good calibration, discrimination and usefulness REGISTRATION: NCT03272620.