Characteristics of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction during the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak

Abstract Background The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has led to radical transformation in social, economic, and healthcare systems. This may lead to profound indirect consequences on clinical presentation and management of patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Objectives The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI), in two tertiary reference hospitals during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and compare them with patients admitted in the previous year. Methods We analyzed data from a multicenter STEMI registry from reference centers in the South Region of Brazil from March 2019 to May 2021. The beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak was considered to be March 2020 and compared to the same period in 2019. Only patients with STEMI submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included in the analysis. Mortality rates were compared with chi-square test. All hypothesis tests had a two-sided significance level of 5%. Results A total of 1169 patients admitted with STEMI were enrolled in our registry, 635 of whom were admitted during the pandemic period. The mean age of our sample was 61.6 (± 12.4) years, and 66.7% of patients were male. Pain-to-door time and door-to-balloon time were longer during the pandemic period. However, there was no difference in mortality rates or major adverse cardiovascular outcomes (MACE). Conclusions We observed a stable incidence of STEMI cases in our registry during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak with higher pain-to-door time and door-to-balloon time, without any influence on mortality rates however.

Precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetes patients at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study with a two-time-period comparison.

Objective: To evaluate the precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients with type 1 diabetes hospitalized through the emergency department of a tertiary hospital. Materials and methods: Individuals with type 1 diabetes hospitalized for DKA from January 2005 to March 2010 (first period [P1], n = 75) and from April 2010 to January 2017 (second period [P2], n = 97) were identified through a query of electronic medical records. Data were collected by reviewing medical records. Only the first hospitalization of each participant in each period was included. Results: In P2, 44 patients (45.4%) were women, mean age was 26.2 ± 14.5 years, and 74 patients (76.3%) had a previous diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Only 1 patient had glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) below 64 mmol/mol (8.0%). Most patients (62.2%) had had a previous episode of DKA. In P1, non-adherence was the main cause of DKA (38.7%), followed by infection (24.0%). In P2, these rates were 34.0% and 24.7%, respectively; no statistical difference was observed between the two study periods (p = 0.790). Conclusion: Over time, non-adherence remained the main precipitating factor of DKA, followed by infection, and no significant difference was observed between the two study periods. Elevated HbA1c, outside the therapeutic range, indicates suboptimal diabetes care and may explain, at least in part, poor adherence as a precipitating factor of decompensation. Health strategies, such as improved self-management of type 1 diabetes, may contribute to a future reduction in DKA episodes.

Precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetes patients at a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study with a two-time-period comparison

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the precipitating factors of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients with type 1 diabetes hospitalized through the emergency department of a tertiary hospital. Materials and methods: Individuals with type 1 diabetes hospitalized for DKA from January 2005 to March 2010 (first period [P1], n = 75) and from April 2010 to January 2017 (second period [P2], n = 97) were identified through a query of electronic medical records. Data were collected by reviewing medical records. Only the first hospitalization of each participant in each period was included. Results: In P2, 44 patients (45.4%) were women, mean age was 26.2 ± 14.5 years, and 74 patients (76.3%) had a previous diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Only 1 patient had glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) below 64 mmol/mol (8.0%). Most patients (62.2%) had had a previous episode of DKA. In P1, non-adherence was the main cause of DKA (38.7%), followed by infection (24.0%). In P2, these rates were 34.0% and 24.7%, respectively; no statistical difference was observed between the two study periods (p = 0.790). Conclusion: Over time, non-adherence remained the main precipitating factor of DKA, followed by infection, and no significant difference was observed between the two study periods. Elevated HbA1c, outside the therapeutic range, indicates suboptimal diabetes care and may explain, at least in part, poor adherence as a precipitating factor of decompensation. Health strategies, such as improved self-management of type 1 diabetes, may contribute to a future reduction in DKA episodes.

Long-term Pattern of Red Cell Distribution Width in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Red cell distribution width (RDW) is an indirect marker of inflammation and an independent predictor of long-term mortality. The aim of this study was to determine RDW values in patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and evaluate its association with adverse outcomes. We measured RDW in STEMI patients before undergoing primary PCI and divided into low and high RDW. Patients were followed up to 3 years after their discharge for the occurrence of in-hospital, 30-days, and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and mortality. We included 485 patients with a mean age of 61.1(±12.5) years, 62.9% were male. In multivariate analysis, RDW remained independent predictor of long-term mortality and MACE [relative risk (RR) 1.51; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.11-2.05; P = 0.007 and RR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.30-1.82; P = 0.004. Area under the curve for long-term mortality was 0.65 (95% CI = 0.61-0.69; P < 0.0001). RDW < 13.4 had a negative predictive value of 87.4% for all-cause mortality. Patients who had worse outcomes remained with higher values of RDW during the follow-up. In conclusion, high RDW is an independent predictor of long-term mortality and MACE in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. A low RDW has an excellent negative predictive value for long-term mortality. Patients with sustained elevated levels of RDW have worse outcomes at long-term follow-up.

Avaliação do diagnóstico de morte encefálica em diferentes regiões do mundo / Evaluation of brain death diagnosis around the world

Objetivos: Descrever critérios diagnósticos adotados para morte encefálica nos Estados Unidos, em países da Europa e comparar com os critérios brasileiros revisados em 2017. Métodos: Esse estudo constitui- -se de uma revisão de literatura utilizando as bases de dados Pubmed e LILACS dentro do período de 2013 a 2018. Foram incluídos também a Resolução nº 2.173/2017, do Conselho Federal de Medicina (CFM) e o guideline da Academia Americana de Neurologia (AAN). Resultados: Brasil, Estados Unidos da América (EUA) e alguns países da Europa possuem em sua legislação a definição e a obrigatoriedade de diagnosticar a morte encefálica. Os países diferem sobre os pré-requisitos para se iniciar os procedimentos de determinação de morte encefálica (ME) e quanto ao tempo de observação desde o momento da internação até o momento do exame. Brasil, EUA e Europa têm como aspecto central do diagnóstico de ME o exame clínico. Todos eles exigem a realização dos testes de ausência de reflexos do tronco encefálico. O teste de apneia é realizado apenas uma vez durante o protocolo em todos os países pesquisados. Os exames complementares são exigidos pelo Brasil e Europa. Em alguns países europeus, a obrigatoriedade é para o eletroencefalograma (EEG). Nos EUA, os testes auxiliares não são necessários para o diagnóstico de ME. Conclusão: O conceito de morte encefálica já é padronizado; contudo, há diferenças nos testes de diagnósticos e no modo que são aplicados. Embora exista um protocolo instituído no Brasil, existem falhas na qualificação dos profissionais aptos a realizarem o diagnóstico de morte encefálica. Dessa maneira, é fundamental a inserção do tema já no meio acadêmico dos estudantes da área da saúde.

Aims: To describe diagnostic criteria used to determine brain death in the United States of America and in some European countries, and compare them with the Brazilian criteria, reviewed in 2017. Methods: This article is a literature review using the Pubmed and LILACS databases from 2013 to 2018. Were also included the Resolution No. 2,173 / 2017 of the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) and the guideline of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). Results: Brazil, United States and some European countries have legislation concerning the definition of brain death and the obligation to diagnose it. The countries differ on the prerequisites for initiating procedures for BD determination, regarding observation time from the admission to the examination. Brazil, USA and Europe have clinical examination as central aspect of the diagnosis of BD. All of them require test of absence of brainstem reflexes. The apnea test is performed only once during the protocol in all countries surveyed. Complementary exams are required by both Brazil and Europe; in some European countries, this obligation concerns the EEG in particular. In USA, ancillary tests are not necessary for the diagnosis of BD. Conclusions: The concept of brain death has already been standardized, however, there are differences in the diagnostic tests and the way they are applied. Although there is a protocol established in Brazil, there are shortcomings in the qualification of professionals capable of performing the diagnosis of brain death. Thus, it is fundamental to insert this subject in the health students academic environment.