Increased reliability of CT-imaging signs of bleeding into soft tissue in patients with COVID-19 for planning transarterial embolization.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous bleeding into the soft tissues of the abdominal and thoracic wall is described as complication of anticoagulant therapy. Computed tomography (CT) allows to detect the presence of extravasation of the contrast agent into a hematoma, which is indicated as a sign of ongoing bleeding. Other specific CT signs of such coagulopathic bleeding have been described earlier. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the significance of specific coagulopathic CT signs for predicting the dynamics of spontaneous bleeding into soft tissues in patients with COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study included 60 patients with COVID-19 with spontaneous bleeding into soft tissues and extravasation of a contrast agent on CT. In addition to extravasation, a "hematocrit effect" was detected in 43 patients on CT. Of these, 39 had extravasation in the form of a "signal flare." All patients underwent transarterial catheter angiography (TCA). To assess the prognostic value of CT signs, the results of CT and TCA compared. The absence of extravasation on the TCA more often corresponded to stopped bleeding. RESULTS: Extravasation on TCA found in 27 (45%) patients. The presence of the "hematocrit effect" or the combination of this sign with the phenomenon of a "signal flare" on CT (n = 43) led to more frequent confirmation of extravasation on TCA than in their absence (n = 17): 23.5% vs. 53.4% (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: The presence of a fluid level and the phenomenon of a "signal flare" on CT in the structure of spontaneous hematomas of the soft tissues of the abdominal and thoracic wall in COVID-19 patients more often corresponded to ongoing bleeding on the TCA. The absence of coagulopathic CT signs more often corresponded to stopped bleeding.

[Lethality after gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding].

The retrospective analysis (2006-2010 yy) of treatment of 895 patients with gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding was conducted. Lethal outcome was registered in 220 (24.6%) patients, of them directly of the ulcer bleeding died 45 (5%). The Rockall score was used as universal prognostic instrument. Of 164 lethal outcomes, did not directly connected to the ulcer bleeding, the etiological distribution was as follows: multiple organ failure - 36% (n=59), cardiovascular diseases - 24.4% (n=40), inveterate oncology - 15.9% (26). Of 45 deaths from bleeding, only 4 patients died of the uncontrolled bleeding, whereas 18 (45%) died after the emergency surgery. Signs of hemorrhagic shock were registered in 60% of died patients (in comparison with 18% among the survived). Bleeding reccurrence was registered in 28.6% of died patients (in comparison with 11% among the survived). The use of the Rockall score confirmed its prognostic value: the mean score was 4.3±2.12 points among the survived patients, whereas among the died patients it was 7.16±2.35 points (p=0.001). Authors conclude, that the leading reasons of death, considering the bleeding itself, were the hemorrhagic shock and recurrent bleeding. Though, about 80% of patients are dying of reasons, do not directly connected to the bleeding episode, but of concomitant diseases (multiple organ failure, cardiovascular and oncologic diseases). The least, nevertheless, leads to the wrong formulation of the final diagnosis and incorrect interpretation of the etiology of death.