Modelling kidney outcomes based on MELD eras - impact of MELD score in renal endpoints after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury is a common complication in solid organ transplants, notably liver transplantation. The MELD is a score validated to predict mortality of cirrhotic patients, which is also used for organ allocation, however the influence of this allocation criteria on AKI incidence and mortality after liver transplantation is still uncertain. METHODS: This is a retrospective single center study of a cohort of patients submitted to liver transplant in a tertiary Brazilian hospital: Jan/2002 to Dec/2013, divided in two groups, before and after MELD implementation (pre-MELD and post MELD). We evaluate the differences in AKI based on KDIGO stages and mortality rates between the two groups. RESULTS: Eight hundred seventy-four patients were included, 408 in pre-MELD and 466 in the post MELD era. The proportion of patients that developed AKI was lower in the post MELD era (p 0.04), although renal replacement therapy requirement was more frequent in this group (p < 0.01). Overall mortality rate at 28, 90 and 365 days was respectively 7%, 11% and 15%. The 1-year mortality rate was lower in the post MELD era (20% vs. 11%, p < 0.01). AKI incidence was 50% lower in the post MELD era even when adjusted for clinically relevant covariates (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Liver transplants performed in the post MELD era had a lower incidence of AKI, although there were more cases requiring dialysis. 1-year mortality was lower in the post MELD era, suggesting that patient care was improved during this period.

Evaluation of the Panbio™ COVID-19 ag rapid test at an emergency room in a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The performance characteristics of the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag test was evaluated at an emergency room setting against RT-PCR, considered the gold-standard for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, in São Paulo, Brazil. The study aimed to determine the sensitivity, specificity, Positive Percent Agreement (PPA), and Negative Percent Agreement (NPA) as compared to RT-PCR. METHODS: Specimens from 127 suspected patients were tested by both the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag test and by RT-PCR. RESULTS: In relation to RT-PCR using Ct values ≤ 40 as the upper limit for positivity, the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag test showed an overall sensitivity of 84.3% (95% CI 75‒93.8%) and 98.2% (95% CI 96‒98.8%) overall specificity. For Ct values ≤ 25 (n = 37), the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag test showed 97% sensitivity. DISCUSSION: The concordance between the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag test and RT-PCR was 97% at Ct values below 25 but decreased at higher Ct values. For disease control, it is very important to identify infected individuals who present COVID-19 symptoms and also those who are suspected of infection due to contact with infected individuals. CONCLUSION: The Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag test is suitable for use as a diagnostic test for rapid screening of patients presenting COVID-19 symptoms, or those suspected of being infected, prior to being admitted to hospital.

Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury and Death in Patients Infected With the Yellow Fever Virus During the 2018 Outbreak in São Paulo, Brazil.

Introduction: There have been few studies investigating acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with yellow fever (YF). The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for AKI and death in such patients. Methods: We evaluated 95 consecutive critically ill adult patients with the sylvatic form of YF, as confirmed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, in Brazil. The outcome measures were AKI (as defined by Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes [KDIGO] criteria) and in-hospital death. Results: Of the 95 patients, 73 (76.8%) had AKI and 59 (62.1%) died from it. A total of 70 patients (73.7%) required dialysis because of AKI. After adjusting for age, sex, and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3), we found that elevated fractional excretion of sodium and requiring dialysis were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality and that proteinuria correlated with AKI-associated mortality. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that, in patients with sylvatic YF, AKI is common and is associated with significant mortality. The data presented here could prove useful for improving understanding of the pathogenesis of AKI in YF and informing decisions regarding the care of the affected patients.

Evaluation of the Panbio™ COVID-19 ag rapid test at an emergency room in a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract Background The performance characteristics of the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag test was evaluated at an emergency room setting against RT-PCR, considered the gold-standard for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, in São Paulo, Brazil. The study aimed to determine the sensitivity, specificity, Positive Percent Agreement (PPA), and Negative Percent Agreement (NPA) as compared to RT-PCR. Methods Specimens from 127 suspected patients were tested by both the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag test and by RT-PCR. Results In relation to RT-PCR using Ct values ≤ 40 as the upper limit for positivity, the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag test showed an overall sensitivity of 84.3% (95% CI 75‒93.8%) and 98.2% (95% CI 96‒98.8%) overall specificity. For Ct values ≤ 25 (n= 37), the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag test showed 97% sensitivity. Discussion The concordance between the Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag test and RT-PCR was 97% at Ct values below 25 but decreased at higher Ct values. For disease control, it is very important to identify infected individuals who present COVID-19 symptoms and also those who are suspected of infection due to contact with infected individuals. Conclusion The Panbio™ COVID-19 Ag test is suitable for use as a diagnostic test for rapid screening of patients presenting COVID-19 symptoms, or those suspected of being infected, prior to being admitted to hospital.

Continuous renal replacement therapy in COVID-19-associated AKI: adding heparin to citrate to extend filter life-a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may predispose patients to thrombotic events. The best anticoagulation strategy for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in such patients is still under debate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact that different anticoagulation protocols have on filter clotting risk. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study comparing two different anticoagulation strategies (citrate only and citrate plus intravenous infusion of unfractionated heparin) in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), associated or not with COVID-19 (COV + AKI and COV - AKI, respectively), who were submitted to CRRT. Filter clotting risks were compared among groups. RESULTS: Between January 2019 and July 2020, 238 patients were evaluated: 188 in the COV + AKI group and 50 in the COV - AKI group. Filter clotting during the first filter use occurred in 111 patients (46.6%). Heparin use conferred protection against filter clotting (HR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.25-0.55), resulting in longer filter survival. Bleeding events and the need for blood transfusion were similar between the citrate only and citrate plus unfractionated heparin strategies. In-hospital mortality was higher among the COV + AKI patients than among the COV - AKI patients, although it was similar between the COV + AKI patients who received heparin and those who did not. Filter clotting was more common in patients with D-dimer levels above the median (5990 ng/ml). In the multivariate analysis, heparin was associated with a lower risk of filter clotting (HR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.18-0.43), whereas an elevated D-dimer level and high hemoglobin were found to be risk factors for circuit clotting. A diagnosis of COVID-19 was marginally associated with an increased risk of circuit clotting (HR = 2.15, 95% CI 0.99-4.68). CONCLUSIONS: In COV + AKI patients, adding systemic heparin to standard regional citrate anticoagulation may prolong CRRT filter patency by reducing clotting risk with a low risk of complications.

Incidence, characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis: a prospective prognosis cohort study in an emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic ketoacidosis is the most frequent hyperglycemic complication in the evolution of diabetes mellitus. Common precipitating factors include newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus, noncompliance with therapy and infections. However, few studies have been conducted in Brazil and none were prospective in design. OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence, clinical and laboratory characteristics and precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis among emergency department patients in a tertiary-level teaching hospital in Brazil. We also aimed to identify immediate and long-term mortality within two years. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective prognosis cohort study conduct at a tertiary-level teaching hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: All patients > 12 years old presenting diabetic ketoacidosis who were admitted to the emergency department from June 2015 to May 2016 were invited to participate. RESULTS: The incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis per 1,000 admissions was 8.7. Treatment noncompliance and infection were the most common causes of diabetic ketoacidosis. The immediate mortality rate was 5.8%, while the six-month, one-year and two-year mortality rates were 9.6%, 13.5% and 19.2%, respectively. Death occurring within two years was associated with age, type 2 diabetes, hypoalbuminemia, infection at presentation and higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at admission. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic ketoacidosis among patients presenting to the emergency department was relatively frequent in our hospital. Treatment noncompliance and infection were major precipitating factors and presence of diabetic ketoacidosis was associated with immediate and long-term risk of death.

Incidence, characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis: a prospective prognosis cohort study in an emergency department

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Diabetic ketoacidosis is the most frequent hyperglycemic complication in the evolution of diabetes mellitus. Common precipitating factors include newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus, noncompliance with therapy and infections. However, few studies have been conducted in Brazil and none were prospective in design. OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence, clinical and laboratory characteristics and precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis among emergency department patients in a tertiary-level teaching hospital in Brazil. We also aimed to identify immediate and long-term mortality within two years. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective prognosis cohort study conduct at a tertiary-level teaching hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: All patients > 12 years old presenting diabetic ketoacidosis who were admitted to the emergency department from June 2015 to May 2016 were invited to participate. RESULTS: The incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis per 1,000 admissions was 8.7. Treatment noncompliance and infection were the most common causes of diabetic ketoacidosis. The immediate mortality rate was 5.8%, while the six-month, one-year and two-year mortality rates were 9.6%, 13.5% and 19.2%, respectively. Death occurring within two years was associated with age, type 2 diabetes, hypoalbuminemia, infection at presentation and higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at admission. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic ketoacidosis among patients presenting to the emergency department was relatively frequent in our hospital. Treatment noncompliance and infection were major precipitating factors and presence of diabetic ketoacidosis was associated with immediate and long-term risk of death.

Cov-hep study: heparin in standard anticoagulation based on citrate for continuous veno-venous hemodialysis in patients with COVID-19: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective is to test if heparin added to a standard regional anticoagulation protocol based on citrate is able to reduce dialysis circuit losses by clotting without increasing the risk of thrombocytopenia or bleeding, in patients with COVID-19 with acute kidney injury requiring dialysis. TRIAL DESIGN: Randomized, parallel-group, open-label trial, with two arms (ratio 1:1) comparing different continuous renal replacement therapy anticoagulation strategies. PARTICIPANTS: Eligibility conditions: All ICU patients of University of Sao Paulo General Hospital (Hospital das Clínicas), Brazil will be screened for eligibility conditions. Adults (> 18 years old) with confirmed COVID-19 and acute kidney injury requiring dialysis with agreement between ICU and nephrology teams for the introduction of renal continuous replacement therapy in daily ICU rounds. Continuous renal replacement therapy will be prescribed by consulting nephrologists based on standard clinical guidelines, including acute kidney injury with hemodynamic instability plus hyperkalemia, severe acidosis, volume overload, respiratory distress, multiorgan failure or some combination of these factors. DATA COLLECTION: Patients demographics and associated clinical data and comorbidities will be recorded at ICU entry. Demographic information will include the patient's age, sex, and admission dates. Clinical data comprise comorbidities, APACHE 2, SAPS 3, need for mechanical ventilation, and use of vasopressor drugs. Physiological data collected by the day of CRRT start will be vital signs, the arterial oxygen tension/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) index, and serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, bilirubin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, white blood cell count levels and Peak D-dimer levels. Patients will be analyzed for the first 72h of CRRT, and they will be evaluated regarding clinical variables, filter patency and any adverse events that could be related to the anticoagulation choice, as bleeding (mild or major) or low platelets counts (<100.000 ui/uL) during treatment period. Mild and major bleeding will be defined by hemorrhagic event without clinical impact or hemoglobin (Hb) fall lesser than 1g/dL and hemorrhagic event with clinical impact or Hb fall higher than 1g/dL, respectively. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Hypersensitivity to any of the substances going to be used in the study (Citric acid dextrosol 2.2% and unfractionated heparin); Previous diagnosis of coagulopathy or thrombophilia; Contraindication to the use of unfractionated heparin; Risk of citrate poisoning - (Lactate> 30 mg/dL, international normalized ratio > 2.5, Total bilirubin> 15 mg/dL); Pregnancy; Patients unlikely to survive for more than 24 hours. The trial is being undertaken at the University of Sao Paulo General Hospital (Hospital das Clinicas), Brazil. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: Group A (control) - Patients on continuous renal replacement therapy (blood flow 150 ml/min, dose of 30 mL/Kg/h) receiving anticoagulation with sodium citrate at 4 mmol/L Group B (experiment): Patients on continuous hemodialysis (blood flow 150 mL/min, dose of 30 mL/Kg/h) receiving anticoagulation with sodium citrate at 4 mmol/L associated with unfractionated heparin at 10 U/Kg/h. MAIN OUTCOMES: The percentage of clotted dialyzers within 72 hours in each of the studied groups (Primary outcome) Secondary outcomes: Number of dialyzers used in the first 72 hours of dialysis protocol, Mortality in the first 72 h of dialysis protocol, Bleeding events (Major or minor) in the first 72 h of dialysis protocol, Thrombocytopenia (less than 50.000 platelets) proportion in the first 72 h of dialysis protocol, Dialysis efficiency (Urea sieving) - variation in urea sieving between the first, second and third days of dialysis protocol, Continuous renal replacement therapy pressures (Arterial, Venous, dialysate and pre-filter pressure) in the first 72 h of dialysis protocol, in-hospital mortality. RANDOMIZATION: RedCap→ randomization - 2 blocks randomization by D-dimer level (5000ng/dL cut-off) and catheter site (Right Internal Jugular versus other sites) with 1:1 allocation ratio. BLINDING (MASKING): No blinding - Open label format NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMIZED (SAMPLE SIZE): Total number of patients 90 (45 per group) TRIAL STATUS: Trial version 2.0 - ongoing recruitment. First recruitment: June 29, 2020 Estimated date for last recruitment: December 31, 2020 TRIAL REGISTRATION: Responsible Party: University of Sao Paulo General Hospital (Hospital das Clinicas) ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04487990 , registered July 27, 2020, ReBec www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-45kf9p/ Other Study ID Numbers: U1111-1252-0194 FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1) In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU in a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil - study protocol

OBJECTIVES: We designed a cohort study to describe characteristics and outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in the largest public hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, as Latin America becomes the epicenter of the pandemic. METHODS: This is the protocol for a study being conducted at an academic hospital in Brazil with 300 adult ICU beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients. We will include adult patients admitted to the ICU with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 during the study period. The main outcome is ICU survival at 28 days. Data will be collected prospectively and retrospectively by trained investigators from the hospital's electronic medical records, using an electronic data capture tool. We will collect data on demographics, comorbidities, severity of disease, and laboratorial test results at admission. Information on the need for advanced life support and ventilator parameters will be collected during ICU stay. Patients will be followed up for 28 days in the ICU and 60 days in the hospital. We will plot Kaplan-Meier curves to estimate ICU and hospital survival and perform survival analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model to identify the main risk factors for mortality. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04378582. RESULTS: We expect to include a large sample of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU and to be able to provide data on admission characteristics, use of advanced life support, ICU survival at 28 days, and hospital survival at 60 days. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide epidemiological data about critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Brazil, which could inform health policy and resource allocation in low- and middle-income countries.

Purple urine bag syndrome: case report for Streptoccocus agalactiae and literature review.

We report a case of purple urine bag syndrome, associated to Streptococcus agalactiae urinary tract infection, progressing to septic shock and death. We present a review of the literature on the subject and take the opportunity to attend readers about increasing incidence with population aging and its potential bad outcome.

Purple urine bag syndrome: case report for Streptoccocus agalactiae and literature review / Síndrome da urina roxa na bolsa coletora: relato de caso por Streptoccocus agalactiae e revisão da literatura

Abstract We report a case of purple urine bag syndrome, associated to Streptococcus agalactiae urinary tract infection, progressing to septic shock and death. We present a review of the literature on the subject and take the opportunity to attend readers about increasing incidence with population aging and its potential bad outcome.

Resumo Relatamos um caso de síndrome de urina roxa na bolsa coletora, associada à infecção do trato urinário por Streptococcus agalactiae, evoluindo para choque séptico e óbito. Apresentamos ainda uma revisão da literatura sobre o assunto e aproveitamos para atentar os leitores sobre o aumento de sua incidência com o envelhecimento populacional e seu potencial mau prognóstico.