Effect of early initiation of noninvasive ventilation in patients transported by emergency medical service for acute heart failure.

BACKGROUND: While the indication for noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in severely hypoxemic patients with acute heart failure (AHF) is often indicated and may improve clinical course, the benefit of early initiation before patient arrival to the emergency department (ED) remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of early initiation of NIV during emergency medical service (EMS) transportation on outcomes in patients with AHF. DESIGN: A secondary retrospective analysis of the EAHFE (Epidemiology of AHF in EDs) registry. SETTING: Fifty-three Spanish EDs. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with AHF transported by EMS physician-staffed ambulances who were treated with NIV at any time during of their emergency care were included and categorized into two groups based on the place of NIV initiation: prehospital (EMS group) or ED (ED group). OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was the composite of in-hospital mortality and 30-day postdischarge death, readmission to hospital or return visit to the ED due to AHF. Secondary outcomes included 30-day all-cause mortality after the index event (ED admission) and the different component of the composite primary endpoint considered individually. Multivariate logistic regressions were employed for analysis. RESULTS: Out of 2406 patients transported by EMS, 487 received NIV (EMS group: 31%; EMS group: 69%). Mean age was 79 years, 48% were women. The EMS group, characterized by younger age, more coronary artery disease, and less atrial fibrillation, received more prehospital treatments. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for composite endpoint was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.42-1.05). The aOR for secondary endpoints were 0.74 (95% CI: 0.38-1.45) for in-hospital mortality, 0.74 (95% CI: 0.40-1.37) for 30-day mortality, 0.70 (95% CI: 0.41-1.21) for 30-day postdischarge ED reconsultation, 0.80 (95% CI: 0.44-1.44) for 30-day postdischarge rehospitalization, and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.25-2.04) for 30-day postdischarge death. CONCLUSION: In this ancillary analysis, prehospital initiation of NIV in patients with AHF was not associated with a significant reduction in short-term outcomes. The large confidence intervals, however, may preclude significant conclusion, and all point estimates consistently pointed toward a potential benefit from early NIV initiation.

Radiography-based triage for COVID-19 in the Emergency Department in a Spanish cohort of patients.

Background: Strategies to determine who could be safely discharged home from the Emergency Department (ED) in COVID-19 are needed to decongestion healthcare systems. Objectives: To describe the outcomes of an ED triage system for non-severe patients with suspected COVID-19 and possible pneumonia based on chest X-ray (CXR) upon admission. Material and methods: Retrospective, single-center study performed in Barcelona (Spain) during the COVID-19 peak in March-April 2020. Patients with COVID-19 symptoms and potential pneumonia, without respiratory insufficiency, with priority class IV-V (Andorran triage model) had a CXR upon admission. This approach tried to optimize resource use and to facilitate discharges. The results after adopting this organizational approach are reported. Results: We included 834 patients, 53% were female. Most patients were white (66%) or Hispanic (27%). CXR showed pneumonia in 523 (62.7%). Compared to those without pneumonia, patients with pneumonia were older (55 vs 46.6 years old) and had a higher Charlson comorbidity index (1.9 vs 1.3). Patients with pneumonia were at a higher risk for a combined outcome of admission and/or death (91 vs 12%). Death rates tended to be numerically higher in the pneumonia group (10 vs 1). Among patients without pneumonia in the initial CXR, 10% reconsulted (40% of them with new pneumonia). Conclusion: CXR identified pneumonia in a significant number of patients. Those without pneumonia were mostly discharged. Mortality among patients with an initially negative CXR was low. CXR triage for pneumonia in non-severe COVID-19 patients in the ED can be an effective strategy to optimize resource use.

Introducción: La pandemia de COVID-19 conlleva una alta ocupación de los servicios de urgencias (SU). Se requieren nuevas estrategias para optimizar la gestión de estos recursos. Objetivos: Describir los resultados de un sistema de triaje en urgencias para pacientes no graves con sospecha de COVID-19 y posible neumonía, basado en la radiografía de tórax (RT). Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, unicéntrico realizado en Barcelona (España) entre marzo y abril de 2020. Se realizó una RT al ingreso en SU de pacientes con síntomas de COVID-19 y sospecha de neumonía, sin insuficiencia respiratoria, con una prioridad clase IV-V (sistema andorrano de triaje). Esta medida pretende optimizar los recursos y facilitar las altas. Se reportan los resultados tras adoptar esta estrategia. Resultados: Se incluyeron 834 pacientes (53% mujeres, 66% caucásicos, 27% hispánicos). La RT mostró neumonía en 523 (62,7%). Comparados con los pacientes sin neumonía, los que sí la padecían eran mayores (55 vs. 46,6 años), con un índice de comorbilidad de Charlson más elevado (1,9 vs. 1,3) y con mayor riesgo de ingreso y/o muerte (91 vs. 12%). La mortalidad fue numéricamente mayor en el grupo con neumonía (10 vs. 1). El 10% de los pacientes sin neumonía en RT consultaron de nuevo al SU (40% con neumonía). Conclusión: La RT identificó neumonía en múltiples pacientes. Los que no tenían neumonía fueron mayoritariamente dados de alta. La mortalidad entre pacientes con RT negativa fue baja. La RT como triaje para neumonía en pacientes con COVID-19 no grave puede ahorrar recursos.

Radiography-based triage for COVID-19 in the Emergency Department in a Spanish cohort of patients.

BACKGROUND: Strategies to determine who could be safely discharged home from the Emergency Department (ED) in COVID-19 are needed to decongestion healthcare systems. OBJECTIVES: To describe the outcomes of an ED triage system for non-severe patients with suspected COVID-19 and possible pneumonia based on chest X-ray (CXR) upon admission. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective, single-center study performed in Barcelona (Spain) during the COVID-19 peak in March-April 2020. Patients with COVID-19 symptoms and potential pneumonia, without respiratory insufficiency, with priority class IV-V (Andorran triage model) had a CXR upon admission. This approach tried to optimize resource use and to facilitate discharges. The results after adopting this organizational approach are reported. RESULTS: We included 834 patients, 53% were female. Most patients were white (66%) or Hispanic (27%). CXR showed pneumonia in 523 (62.7%). Compared to those without pneumonia, patients with pneumonia were older (55 vs 46.6 years old) and had a higher Charlson comorbidity index (1.9 vs 1.3). Patients with pneumonia were at a higher risk for a combined outcome of admission and/or death (91 vs 12%). Death rates tended to be numerically higher in the pneumonia group (10 vs 1). Among patients without pneumonia in the initial CXR, 10% reconsulted (40% of them with new pneumonia). CONCLUSION: CXR identified pneumonia in a significant number of patients. Those without pneumonia were mostly discharged. Mortality among patients with an initially negative CXR was low. CXR triage for pneumonia in non-severe COVID-19 patients in the ED can be an effective strategy to optimize resource use.

A risk score to predict the absence of left ventricular reverse remodeling: Implications for the timing of ICD implantation in primary prevention.

BACKGROUND: A prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) is only indicated when left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reassessment remains ≤35% after 3-6 months on optimal pharmacological therapy. However, LVEF may not improve during this period and the patient may be exposed to an unnecessary risk of sudden cardiac death. This study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of the absence of left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) after pharmacological treatment optimization in patients with HFrEF to design a risk score of absence of LVRR. METHODS: Consecutive outpatients with LVEF ≤35% were included in this observational prospective study. Up-titration of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and ivabradine was performed in our Heart Failure (HF) Unit. The absence of LVRR was defined as the persistence of an LVEF ≤35% at the 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients were included. At the 6-month follow-up, 64%, 76%, 72%, and 7% of patients were at 100% of the target dose of ACE inhibitors/ARBs, beta-blockers, MRAs, and ivabradine, respectively. LVRR was observed in 48% of the patients. Ischemic cardiomyopathy, prolonged HF duration, and larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index (LVEDDI) were independent predictors of the absence of LVRR. The risk score based on these predictors showed a c-statistic value of 0.81. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacological treatment optimization is associated with LVRR in approximately half of cases, reducing potential ICD indications in parallel. However, ischemic cardiomyopathy, prolonged HF duration, and larger LVEDDI predict the absence of LVRR and favor ICD implantation without delay. The risk score based on the former predictors may help the clinician with the timing of ICD implantation.

Radiography-based triage for COVID-19 in the Emergency Department in a Spanish cohort of patients / Sistema de selección en urgencias de pacientes con sospecha de infección por SARS-CoV-2 y con posible neumonía no graves basado en la radiografía de tórax

Background:Strategies to determine who could be safely discharged home from the Emergency Department (ED) in COVID-19 are needed to decongestion healthcare systems.Objectives:To describe the outcomes of an ED triage system for non-severe patients with suspected COVID-19 and possible pneumonia based on chest X-ray (CXR) upon admission.Material and methods:Retrospective, single-center study performed in Barcelona (Spain) during the COVID-19 peak in March–April 2020. Patients with COVID-19 symptoms and potential pneumonia, without respiratory insufficiency, with priority class IV–V (Andorran triage model) had a CXR upon admission. This approach tried to optimize resource use and to facilitate discharges. The results after adopting this organizational approach are reported.Results:We included 834 patients, 53% were female. Most patients were white (66%) or Hispanic (27%). CXR showed pneumonia in 523 (62.7%). Compared to those without pneumonia, patients with pneumonia were older (55 vs 46.6 years old) and had a higher Charlson comorbidity index (1.9 vs 1.3). Patients with pneumonia were at a higher risk for a combined outcome of admission and/or death (91 vs 12%). Death rates tended to be numerically higher in the pneumonia group (10 vs 1). Among patients without pneumonia in the initial CXR, 10% reconsulted (40% of them with new pneumonia).Conclusion:CXR identified pneumonia in a significant number of patients. Those without pneumonia were mostly discharged. Mortality among patients with an initially negative CXR was low. CXR triage for pneumonia in non-severe COVID-19 patients in the ED can be an effective strategy to optimize resource use. (AU)

Introducción:La pandemia de COVID-19 conlleva una alta ocupación de los servicios de urgencias (SU). Se requieren nuevas estrategias para optimizar la gestión de estos recursos.Objetivos:Describir los resultados de un sistema de triaje en urgencias para pacientes no graves con sospecha de COVID-19 y posible neumonía, basado en la radiografía de tórax (RT).Material y métodos:Estudio retrospectivo, unicéntrico realizado en Barcelona (España) entre marzo y abril de 2020. Se realizó una RT al ingreso en SU de pacientes con síntomas de COVID-19 y sospecha de neumonía, sin insuficiencia respiratoria, con una prioridad clase IV-V (sistema andorrano de triaje). Esta medida pretende optimizar los recursos y facilitar las altas. Se reportan los resultados tras adoptar esta estrategia.Resultados:Se incluyeron 834 pacientes (53% mujeres, 66% caucásicos, 27% hispánicos). La RT mostró neumonía en 523 (62,7%). Comparados con los pacientes sin neumonía, los que sí la padecían eran mayores (55 vs. 46,6 años), con un índice de comorbilidad de Charlson más elevado (1,9 vs. 1,3) y con mayor riesgo de ingreso y/o muerte (91 vs. 12%). La mortalidad fue numéricamente mayor en el grupo con neumonía (10 vs. 1). El 10% de los pacientes sin neumonía en RT consultaron de nuevo al SU (40% con neumonía).Conclusión:La RT identificó neumonía en múltiples pacientes. Los que no tenían neumonía fueron mayoritariamente dados de alta. La mortalidad entre pacientes con RT negativa fue baja. La RT como triaje para neumonía en pacientes con COVID-19 no grave puede ahorrar recursos. (AU)