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ilustraciones, graficas Introducción: El Síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA) se caracteriza por opacidades radiográficas bilaterales con hipoxemia grave debido a edema de pulmón no cardiogénico secundario a aumento de la permeabilidad alveolocapilar excesiva. La heterogeneidad de su presentación y la ausencia de un tratamiento farmacológico eficaz la ha puesto como un desafío médico. La Pandemia por COVID 19 ha provocado un aumento en su frecuencia, con una mortalidad inaceptablemente alta que la pone de nuevo con gran realce en intereses médico científico. Materiales y Métodos: Tipo Estudio: Observacional Analítico, Diseño: Cohorte retrospectivo utilizando score de propensión con relación 1:3. Lugar UCI Hospital Universitario Nacional de Colombia, Población: Pacientes que ingresan a UCI con diagnóstico de SDRA desde 01 de enero 2018 al 31 de Julio del 2021. Resultados: Se atendieron en la UCI 6803 pacientes entre el 1 de enero de 2018 y el 31 de Julio de 2021. De estos pacientes 627 pacientes cumplieron criterios de SDRA Primario y 577(92%), Tuvieron diagnóstico confirmado de SDRA por SARS-CoV-2, los 50 (8%) pacientes restantes incluidos tuvieron un diagnóstico de SDRA por otras causas de origen pulmonar no COVID. La cohorte final seleccionada para el estudio estuvo compuesta por 627 individuos, de los cuales 433 (69.06%) fueron hombres. La edad promedio fue de 58.65(DE13.87) años y el peso corporal promedio fue de 75.45 Kg (DE 16.40). La comorbilidad más frecuente de la cohorte fue la hipertensión en 281 (44.82%) individuos, seguido de diabetes mellitus en 161 (25.68%) individuos y el tabaquismo en 109(17.38%) individuos. En cuanto a la gravedad de la afección, la mediana de la evaluación de APACHE II en el momento del ingreso fue de 22.64 (DE15.93). Los días de VMI y estancia en UCI fueron 10.97 y 12.6 respectivamente. Después de score de propensión la variable que tuvieron diferencia media estandarizadas menor a 0.2 fueron Genero, edad, peso, VMI, hipertensión, diabetes, Epoc, Falla renal estado 5, falla cardiaca con FEVI deprimida, índice de PAFI y la estrategia prono. La sobrevida a los 30 días de los pacientes del grupo COVID fue del 24% y del grupo no COVID fue del 49%. Esta diferencia fue estadísticamente significativa con (P 0.0157). Discusión: A nivel mundial, hay pocos estudios que comparan la mortalidad entre C-SDRA y NC-SDRA. El en presente estudio se logró encontrar que la mortalidad en el grupo con SDRA COVID es mayor que en el grupo no COVID, estos resultados distan de las investigaciones de (Bain, et al.2021) y (Belonche, et al.2021). Conclusión: En los resultados Hay diferencias en la sobrevida a 30 días C-SDRA y NC-SDRA (24% y 49, respectivamente, log-rank test=0,0157). (Texto tomado de la fuente) Introduction: The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by bilateral radiographic opacities with serious hypoxaemia due to secondary non cardiogenic pulmonary edema to increase of the excessive alveolocapillary permeability. The heterogeneity of its presentation and the absence of an effective pharmacological treatment have positioned it as a medical challenge. The Pandemic by COVID 19 has caused an increase in its frequency, with an unacceptably high mortality rate, that again positions it with great enhancement in scientific and medical interests. Equipment and Methods: Study Type: Analytical Observational, Design: Retrospective cohort using propensity score with ratio 1:3. Location, ICU Hospital Universitario Nacional de Colombia, Population, patients admitted to ICU with ARDS diagnosis from January 1st, 2018 to December 31st, 2021. Results: 6803 patients between January 1st, 2018 and Decembrer 30th, 2021 were taken care of in the ICU. From this group of patients, 627 patients fulfilled criteria of Primary ARDS and 577 (92%), had a confirmed ARDS diagnosis by SARS-CoV-2, the remaining 50 patients (8%) had an ARDS diagnosis due to other pulmonary causes not associated with COVID. The final cohort selected for the study consisted of 627 individuals, of whom 433 (69.06%) were men. The average age was 58,65 years old (SD13.87) and the average body weight was 75,45 kg (SD 16,40). The most frequent comorbidity of the cohort was hypertension, present in 281 individuals (44.82%) , followed by diabetes mellitus in 161 individuals (25.68%) and smoking in 109 individuals (17.38%). As far as the severity of the affection, the median of evaluation of APACHE II was of 22,64 (SD 15.93) at the moment of the admission. The number of days patients required VMI and ICU stay, were 10.97 and 12.6 respectively. After propensity scores matching, the variables that had standardized mean differences of less than 0.2 were gender, age, weight, VMI, hypertension, diabetes, COPD, renal failure stage 5, heart failure with depressed LVEF, PaO2/FiO2 index and Decubitus Prone strategy. The 30-day survival of patients in the COVID group was 24% and in the non-COVID group it was 49%. This difference was statistically significant with (P 0.0157). Discussion: Globally, there are few studies comparing mortality between C-ARDS and NC-ARDS. In the present study it was found that mortality in the group with COVID ARDS is higher than in the nonCOVID group, these results are far from the research of (Bain, et al.2021) and (Belonche, et al.2021) Conclusion: In the results, there are differences in survival at 30 days C-ARDS and NC-ARDS (24% and 49, respectively, log-rank test=0.0157). Especialidades Médicas Especialista en Medicina Interna

Purpose Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has placed a great burden on critical care services worldwide. Data regarding critically ill COVID-19 patients and their demand of critical care services outside of initial COVID-19 epicenters are lacking. This study described clinical characteristics and outcomes of critically ill COVID-19 patients and the capacity of a COVID-19-dedicated intensive care unit (ICU) in Kobe, Japan. Methods This retrospective observational study included critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to a 14-bed COVID-19-dedicated ICU in Kobe between March 3, 2020 and June 21, 2020. Clinical and daily ICU occupancy data were obtained from electrical medical records. The last follow-up day was June 28, 2020. Results Of 32 patients included, the median hospital follow-up period was 27 (interquartile range 19–50) days. The median age was 68 (57–76) years; 23 (72%) were men and 25 (78%) had at least one comorbidity. Nineteen (59%) patients received invasive mechanical ventilation for a median duration of 14 (8–27) days. Until all patients were discharged from the ICU on June 5, 2020, the median daily ICU occupancy was 50% (36–71%). As of June 28, 2020, six (19%) died during hospitalization. Of 26 (81%) survivors, 23 (72%) were discharged from the hospital and three (9%) remained in the hospital. Conclusion During the first months of the outbreak in Kobe, most critically ill patients were men aged ≥ 60 years with at least one comorbidity and on mechanical ventilation; the ICU capacity was not strained, and the case-fatality rate was 19%. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00540-021-02897-w.

Background/Aims: It is unclear whether corticosteroid use in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) improves survival. This study aimed to investigate whether the administration of corticosteroids to patients in the early phase of moderate to severe ARDS is associated with improved outcomes. Methods: We analyzed the data of patients who received corticosteroids within 7 days of the onset of ARDS between June 2006 and December 2015 at a single tertia ry teaching hospital. A total of 565 patients admitted with moderate to severe ARDS were eligible. The outcomes of patients treated with methylprednisolone 40 to 180 mg/day or equivalent (n = 404) were compared to those who did not receive steroids (n = 161). The primary and secondary outcomes were 28- and 90-day mortality rates, respectively. Propensity scores were used to adjust for baseline covariates. Results: The overall mortality at 28 days was not significantly different between the corticosteroid-treated and control groups (43.8% vs. 41%, p = 0.541). At 90 days, the overall mortality rate was higher in the corticosteroid-treated group than in the control group (59.2% vs. 48.4%, p = 0.021). However, on propensity score matching, corticosteroid therapy was not associated with a higher 28-day mortal ity rate (odds ratio, 1.031; 95% confidence interval, 0.657 to 1.618; p = 0.895) and 90 days (odds ratio, 1.435; 95% confidence interval, 0.877 to 2.348; p = 0.151). Conclusions: Corticosteroid therapy was not associated with 28- or 90-day mor tality in the early phase of moderate to severe ARDS on propensity score matching analysis.

ilustraciones, gráficas, tablas Introducción: La pandemia de COVID-19 causada por el SARS-CoV-2, un 10% desarrollan enfermedad moderada a severa de los cuales 70-80% terminan en VMI. Estos pacientes con frecuencia aglomeran comorbilidades asociadas, lo que empeora el pronóstico y se asocia con tiempos prolongados en ventilación mecánica, mayor riesgo de complicaciones como la NAVM. La identificación de los factores de riesgo asociados al desarrollo de la infección son claves en el proceso de estratificación de los pacientes, permite además a los clínicos plantear la posibilidad de terapias alternativas a la VMI y contribuye al desarrollo de estrategias preventivas. Objetivo: Identificar los factores asociados para el desarrollo de NAVM en pacientes con SDRA por COVID – 19 de la UCI del Hospital Universitario Nacional 2020 -2021. Metodología: Estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles anidado en una cohorte, realizado en el periodo comprendido entre 1 de mayo de 2020 y el 30 junio de 2021, en la UCI del HUN, el estudio incluyó 70 casos con confirmación para NAVM y 250 controles de ambos sexos mayores de 18 años quien se encontraba bajo soporte VMI. Resultados: Sobre el estudio de los factores asociados al desarrollo de NAVM, se encontró al análisis crudo que el sexo masculino, los días de VMI, el uso de relajación muscular, el índice Charlson y la severidad del score SOFA estuvieron asociados al desenlace. Al ajustar por los probables factores de confusión a la regresión logística los valores de las medidas de asociación solo mostraron significancia para el sexo masculino, OR ajustado 2.29 (IC 95% 1.2 -4.3), los días de VMI, OR ajustado de 1.05 (IC 95%1.02-1.08) y el uso de relajante neuromuscular, OR ajustado de 3.58 (IC 95% CI 1.35-9.4). Conclusiones: La determinación de los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de NAVM en el escenario COVID-19 bajo VMI permite la estratificación por grupos de riesgo sobre los cuales se pueden tomar intervenciones preventivas relacionado con los riesgos relativos a la terapia. Palabras claves: neumonía asociada a la ventilación mecánica, COVID-19, síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (SDRA), cuidado crítico. (Texto tomado de la fuente). Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, 10% develop moderate to severe disease, of which 70-80% end up in VMI. These patients often have associated comorbidities, which worsens the prognosis and is associated with prolonged times on mechanical ventilation, higher risk of complications such as VAP. The identification of the risk factors associated with the development of the infection are key in the process of patient stratification, it also allows clinicians to consider the possibility of alternative therapies to IMV and contributes to the development of preventive strategies. Objective: To identify the associated factors for the development of VAP in patients with ARDS due to COVID - 19 of the ICU of the National University Hospital 2020 -2021. Methodology: Retrospective study of cases and controls nested in a cohort, carried out in the period between May 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021, in the ICU of the HUN, the study included 70 cases with confirmation for VAP and 250 controls of VAP. both sexes over 18 years of age who were under IMV support. Results: Regarding the study of the factors associated with the development of VAP, the crude analysis found that male sex, days of VMI, the use of muscle relaxation, the Charlson index and the severity of the SOFA score were associated with the outcome. When adjusting for the probable confounding factors to the logistic regression, the values of the association measures only showed significance for the male sex, adjusted OR 2.29 (95% CI 1.2 - 4.3), the days of mechanical ventilation, adjusted OR of 1.05 (95% CI 1.02-1.08) and the use of neuromuscular relaxant, adjusted OR of 3.58 (95% CI 1.35-9.4). Conclusions: The determination of the risk factors for the development of VAP in the COVID-19 scenario under IMV allows the stratification by risk groups on which preventive interventions related to the risks related to therapy can be taken. Keywords: ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), COVID 19, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), critical care. Incluye anexos Especialidades Médicas Especialista en Medicina Interna Medicina Intensiva y cuidado critico

Resumen Introduccion La pandemia de COVID-19 ha ocasionado cerca de 25 millones de casos en el mundo Se ha descrito que los pacientes asintomaticos pueden ser fuentes de transmision Sin embargo, es dificil detectarlos y no es claro su papel en la dinamica de transmision del virus, lo que obstaculiza la implementacion de estrategias para la prevencion Objetivo Describir el comportamiento de la infeccion asintomatica por SARS-CoV-2 en una cohorte de trabajadores del Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado "Luis Carlos Galan Sarmiento" de Bogota, Colombia Materiales y metodos Se diseno una cohorte prospectiva de trabajadores del Aeropuerto El Dorado El seguimiento se inicio en junio de 2020 con una encuesta a cada trabajador para caracterizar sus condiciones de salud y trabajo Cada 21 dias se tomo una muestra de hisopado nasofaringeo para detectar la presencia del SARS-CoV-2 mediante reaccion en cadena de la polimerasa con transcriptasa inversa (RT-PCR) Se analizo el comportamiento del umbral del ciclo (cycle threshold) de los genes ORFlab y N segun el dia de seguimiento Resultados En los primeros tres seguimientos de la cohorte se encontro una incidencia de la infeccion por SARS-CoV-2 del 16,51 % La proporcion de contactos positivos fue del 14,08 % La mediana del umbral del ciclo fue de 33,53 Conclusion Se determinaron las caracteristicas de la infeccion asintomatica por el SARS-CoV-2 en una cohorte de trabajadores La deteccion de infectados asintomaticos sigue siendo un reto para los sistemas de vigilancia epidemiologica Introduction: The 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has caused around 25 million cases worldwide Asymptomatic patients have been described as potential sources of transmission However, there are difficulties to detect them and to establish their role in the dynamics of virus transmission, which hinders the implementation of prevention strategies Objective: To describe the behavior of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in a cohort of workers at the El Dorado "Luis Carlos Galan Sarmiento" International Airport in Bogota, Colombia Materials and methods: A prospective cohort of 212 workers from the El Dorado airport was designed The follow-up began in June, 2020 A survey was used to characterize health and work conditions Every 21 day, a nasopharyngeal swab was taken to identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR We analyzed the behavior of the cycle threshold (ORFlab and N genes) according to the day of follow-up Results: In the first three follow-ups of the cohort, we found an incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection of 16 51% The proportion of positive contacts was 14 08% The median threshold for cycle threshold was 33 53 Conclusion: We characterized the asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of workers The identification of asymptomatic infected persons continues to be a challenge for epidemiological surveillance systems

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has rapidly spread to a global pandemic in March 2020. This emergency condition has been putting a severe strain on healthcare systems worldwide, and a prompt, dynamic response is instrumental in its management. While a definite diagnosis is based on microbiological evidence, the relationship between lung ultrasound (LU) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 is less clear. Lung ultrasound is a point-of-care imaging tool that proved to be useful in the identification and severity assessment of different pulmonary conditions, particularly in the setting of emergency and critical care patients in intensive care units; HRCT of the thorax is regarded as the mainstay of imaging evaluation of lung disorders, enabling characterization and quantification of pulmonary involvement. Aims of this review are to describe LU and chest HRCT main imaging features of COVID-19 pneumonia, and to provide state-of-the-art insights regarding the integrated role of these techniques in the clinical decision-making process of patients affected by this infectious disease.

DETAILS OF THE CLINICAL CASE: A 51-yr-old man underwent a respiratory rehabilitation program (RRP), after being tracheostomized and ventilated due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. Respiratory care, early mobilization, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation were started in the ad hoc isolation ward of our rehabilitation center. At baseline, muscle function was consistent with intensive care unit-acquired weakness and the patient still needed mechanical ventilation (MV) and oxygen support. During the first week of RRP in isolation, the patient was successfully weaned from MV, the tracheal cannula was removed, and the walking capacity was recovered. At the end of the RRP, continued in a standard department, respiratory muscles strength increased by 7% and muscle function improved as indicated by the quadriceps size enlargement of 13% and the change of the Medical Research Council sum score from 48/60 to 58/60. DISCUSSION: Providing RRP in patients with severe COVID-19 ARDS involves risks for operators and organizational difficulties, especially in rehabilitation centers; nevertheless, its continuity is important to prevent the development of permanent disabilities in previously healthy subjects. Limited to the experience of only one patient, we were able to carry out a safe RRP during the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting the complete functional recovery of a COVID-19 young patient. SUMMARY: Most patients who develop serious consequences of COVID-19 infection risk a reduction in their quality of life. However, by organizing and directing specialized resources, subacute rehabilitation facilities could ensure the continuity of the RRPs even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aims To compare demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, and outcomes of patients with and without concomitant cardiac disease, hospitalized for COVID-19 in Brescia, Lombardy, Italy. Methods and results The study population includes 99 consecutive patients with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to our hospital between 4 March and 25 March 2020. Fifty-three patients with a history of cardiac disease were compared with 46 without cardiac disease. Among cardiac patients, 40% had a history of heart failure, 36% had atrial fibrillation, and 30% had coronary artery disease. Mean age was 67 ± 12 years, and 80 (81%) patients were males. No differences were found between cardiac and non-cardiac patients except for higher values of serum creatinine, N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide, and high sensitivity troponin T in cardiac patients. During hospitalization, 26% patients died, 15% developed thrombo-embolic events, 19% had acute respiratory distress syndrome, and 6% had septic shock. Mortality was higher in patients with cardiac disease compared with the others (36% vs. 15%, log-rank P = 0.019; relative risk 2.35; 95% confidence interval 1.08–5.09). The rate of thrombo-embolic events and septic shock during the hospitalization was also higher in cardiac patients (23% vs. 6% and 11% vs. 0%, respectively). Conclusions Hospitalized patients with concomitant cardiac disease and COVID-19 have an extremely poor prognosis compared with subjects without a history of cardiac disease, with higher mortality, thrombo-embolic events, and septic shock rates.

ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) is an extracorporeal life support system in catastrophic lung failure, shock and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, in different age groups, with multiple physiologic features. When the candidate to be submitted is too unstable to be transported to a hospital with ECMO, cannulation before transfer allows stabilization and subsequent transport. The aim of this article is to review the current concepts of extracorporeal support, its indications, national and international experience, and its possible role in the SARS-Cov2 pandemic.

Background Protective mechanical ventilation is recommended for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but it usually requires controlled ventilation and sedation. Using neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) or pressure support ventilation (PSV) could have additional benefits, including the use of lower sedative doses, improved patient–ventilator interaction and shortened duration of mechanical ventilation. We designed a pilot study to assess the feasibility of keeping tidal volume (VT) at protective levels with NAVA and PSV in patients with ARDS. Methods We conducted a prospective randomized crossover trial in five ICUs from a university hospital in Brazil and included patients with ARDS transitioning from controlled ventilation to partial ventilatory support. NAVA and PSV were applied in random order, for 15 min each, followed by 3 h in NAVA. Flow, peak airway pressure (Paw) and electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) were captured from the ventilator, and a software (Matlab, Mathworks, USA), automatically detected inspiratory efforts and calculated respiratory rate (RR) and VT. Asynchrony events detection was based on waveform analysis. Results We randomized 20 patients, but the protocol was interrupted for five (25%) patients for whom we were unable to maintain VT below 6.5 mL/kg in PSV due to strong inspiratory efforts and for one patient for whom we could not detect EAdi signal. For the 14 patients who completed the protocol, VT was 5.8 ± 1.1 mL/kg for NAVA and 5.6 ± 1.0 mL/kg for PSV (p = 0.455) and there were no differences in RR (24 ± 7 for NAVA and 23 ± 7 for PSV, p = 0.661). Paw was greater in NAVA (21 ± 3 cmH2O) than in PSV (19 ± 3 cmH2O, p = 0.001). Most patients were under continuous sedation during the study. NAVA reduced triggering delay compared to PSV (p = 0.020) and the median asynchrony Index was 0.7% (0–2.7) in PSV and 0% (0–2.2) in NAVA (p = 0.6835). Conclusions It was feasible to keep VT in protective levels with NAVA and PSV for 75% of the patients. NAVA resulted in similar VT, RR and Paw compared to PSV. Our findings suggest that partial ventilatory assistance with NAVA and PSV is feasible as a protective ventilation strategy in selected ARDS patients under continuous sedation. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01519258). Registered 26 January 2012, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01519258

Introduction. Miliary tuberculosis (TB) is a rare and potentially fatal form of disseminated TB. It is caused by a widespread haematogenous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from an active caseous focus to different organs. Sometimes it can have an acute presentation with a rapidonset clinical deterioration and death. Miliary TB complicated with an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) is rare, even in countries with a high incidence of TB. Case report. A 35-yearold woman with Down syndrome (DS) was admitted to the Clinic for Pulmonology, Clinical Centre Kragujevac, due to an evaluation of cough and weight loss during last 2 months. Laboratory findings revealed anaemia, leukocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and hypoalbuminemia. A chest x-ray showed bilateral reticulonodular shadows, predominantly in the mid and lower right lung lobes. A purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test and induced sputum smear for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) were both negative. On the fifth day following admission, her health condition suddenly declined, and after developing a moderate ARDS, she was put on the mechanical ventilation. Due to a high clinical suspicion of miliary TB and the fact that her life was compromised, an empirical anti-tuberculosis therapy was initiated. Despite all therapeutic and supportive measures, the patient expired 3 days later. The diagnosis of miliary TB was established post-mortem. Conclusion. Miliary TB should be kept in mind in patients with DS due to immunosuppression associated with deficient cell-mediated immunity. The development of ARDS as a complication of miliary TB is difficult to identify due to a low causal association. High clinical suspicion and a chest radiograph with a typical appearance of miliary pattern justify the initiation of empirical anti-tuberculosis treatment in such patients, as an attempt to change poor prognosis.

Introduction: Pharmacotherapy for the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been tested in preclinical and clinical studies. However, to date, no pharmacological interventions have proven effective. This may be attributed to lack of proper identification of different ARDS phenotypes.Areas covered: We designed inclusive search strings and searched four bibliographic databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov) to identify relevant research. Search results were mainly restricted to papers published from 2009 through 2019. ARDS is a heterogeneous syndrome, and its different phenotypes - defined according to clinical, radiological, and biological parameters - may affect response to therapy. The most promising pharmacological approaches to date have been based on ARDS pathophysiology. They focus on reducing inflammation and pulmonary edema, promoting selective vasodilation, and repairing alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells.Expert opinion: Pharmacotherapeutic approaches targeting ARDS pathophysiology have failed to exert beneficial effects. Personalized medicine targeting the different ARDS phenotypes has emerged as an option to improve survival. Identification of specific ARDS patient phenotypes that respond to specific therapies seems to be the most important challenge for the next decade. Additional research is warranted before personalized medicine approaches can be applied at bedside for ARDS patients.

We report on a 3-month old infant male who had a seven-days history of fever and rhinorrhea associated with wheezing prior to his death, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Viral testing for Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) was negative but was positive for Coronavirus 229E and RP Human Rhinovirus. The pulmonary histological examination showed diffuse alveolar damage along with thrombotic microangiopathy affecting alveolar capillaries. Also, thrombotic microangiopathy was evident in the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys and liver. Thrombotic microangiopathy is a major pathologic finding in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and in the multiorgan failure. This is the first report that illustrates thrombotic microangiopathy occurring in lung, heart, liver, kidney and brain in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Coronavirus 229E with Rhinovirus co-infection. The clinical presentation and pathological findings in our case share common features with Covid-19.

BACKGROUND Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common acute and severe disease in clinic. Recent studies indicated that Cxc chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5), an inflammatory chemokine, was associated with tumorigenesis. The present study investigated the role of the CXCL5/Cxc chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) bio-axis in ARDS, and explored the underlying molecular mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS The pathological morphology of lung tissue and degree of pulmonary edema were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and pulmonary edema score, respectively. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the expression levels of CXCL5, CXCR2, Matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP2), and Matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9) in lung tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the expression levels of CXCL5 and inflammatory factors (IL-1s, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-10) in serum. RESULTS The results demonstrated that diffuse alveolar damage and pulmonary edema appeared in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS and were positively correlated with the severity of ARDS. In addition, CXCL5 and its receptor CXCR2 were overexpressed by upregulation of MMP2 and MMP9 in lung tissues of ARDS. In addition, CXCL5 neutralizing antibody effectively alleviated inflammatory response, diffuse alveolar damage, and pulmonary edema, and decreased the expression levels of MMP2 and MMP9 compared to LPS-induced ARDS. CONCLUSIONS We found that CXCL5/CXCR2 accelerated the progression of ARDS, partly by upregulation of MMP2 and MMP9 in lung tissues with the release of inflammatory factors.

BACKGROUND This study assessed the clinical characteristics of neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and differences in therapy in comparison to RDS. MATERIAL AND METHODS The clinical data of 925 preterm infants with respiratory distress were collected and divided into 4 groups. Group A and B both met the diagnosis of neonatal RDS, whereas infants in group B also showed inflammatory response. Group C met the Montreux definition of neonatal ARDS and group D was the control. RESULTS We found that 73.50% of the 925 preterm infants were diagnosed with RDS, of which RDS with inflammatory response accounted for 42.05%. ARDS accounted for 5.29% and control group accounted for 21.19%. Group C infants were the heaviest (2168.16±654.43 g) and had the oldest gestational age. The pregnancy-induced hypertension was highest (30.07%) in group B and lowest in group D (13.26%). Group C had higher iNO and longer invasive ventilator times, but had less frequent surfactant treatment, as well as shorter oxygen time and hospital stay. Group B had significantly longer invasive ventilator use than in Group A. In group A, PDA, ROP, and PPHN were the most common complications, with morbidity rates at 78.35%, 8.4%, and 25.77%, respectively, while group C had higher incidence of PDA (71.42%) and coagulation disorders (38.77%). CONCLUSIONS ARDS mainly occurs in late preterm infants. Its treatment is dependent on iNO and invasive ventilator-assisted therapy, and the surfactant treatment rate was relatively lower in comparison to RDS. RDS accompanied with inflammatory response is also dependent on prolonged use of an invasive ventilator.

Patient: Female, 22 Final Diagnosis: Acute respiratory distress syndrome Symptoms: Flank pain • urinary frequency Medication: — Clinical Procedure: ECMO Specialty: Critical Care Medicine Objective: Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), also known as extracorporeal life support (ECLS), is a technique used to provide prolonged cardiac and respiratory support to persons whose heart and lungs are unable to deliver adequate perfusion or gas exchange to sustain life. It is indicated in patients with severe ARDS, severe hypothermia, and cardiac and respiratory failure when other conventional methods fail. Case Report: We report the case of a 22-year-old gravid 2 Para 1 woman who presented to the Emergency Department with pyelonephritis, who subsequently developed sepsis that progressed to ARDS. She was managed successfully with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [ECMO] for 5 days, with heparin used as an anticoagulant. After significant improvement, she was successfully de-cannulated and extubated. Conclusions: The use of ECMO in pregnancy and post-partum can be associated with several complications to both mother and fetus. With appropriate patient selection, good knowledge of the procedure, and early initiation, successful outcomes can be attained.

Background/Aims The relationship between nonpulmonary organ failure and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with sepsis has not been well studied. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with septic bacteremia admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary academic hospital between January 2013 and December 2016. Results The study enrolled 125 patients of median age 73.0 years. Urinary (n = 47), hepatobiliary (n = 30), and pulmonary infections (n = 28) were the most common causes of sepsis; the incidence of ARDS was 17.6%. The total number of nonpulmonary organ failures at the time of ICU admission was higher in patients with ARDS than in those without (p = 0.011), and the cardiovascular, central nervous system (CNS), and coagulation scores were significantly higher in ARDS patients. On multivariate analysis, apart from pneumonia sepsis, the CNS (odds ratio [OR], 1.917; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.097 to 3.348) and coagulation scores (OR, 2.669; 95% CI, 1.438 to 4.954) were significantly associated with ARDS development. The 28-day and in-hospital mortality rates were higher in those with ARDS than in those without (63.6 vs. 8.7%, p < 0.001; 72.7% vs. 11.7%, p < 0.001), and ARDS development was found to be an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality. Conclusions Apart from pneumonia, CNS dysfunction and coagulopathy were significantly associated with ARDS development, which was an independent risk factor for 28-day mortality.

Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome require ventilation strategies that have been shown to be important for reducing short-term mortality, such as protective ventilation and prone position ventilation. However, patients who survive have a prolonged stay in both the intensive care unit and the hospital, and they experience a reduction in overall satisfaction with life (independence, acceptance and positive outlook) as well as decreased mental health (including anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms), physical health (impaired physical state and activities of daily living; fatigue and muscle weakness), social health and the ability to participate in social activities (including relationships with friends and family, hobbies and social gatherings).Os pacientes com síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo requerem estratégias ventilatórias que demonstraram ser importantes na redução da mortalidade em curto prazo, como ventilação protetora e ventilação em posição prona. No entanto, os pacientes que sobrevivem têm permanência prolongada, tanto na unidade de terapia intensiva como no hospital, e experimentam redução na satisfação global com a vida (independência, aceitação e perspectiva positiva), na saúde mental (ansiedade, depressão e sintomas de transtorno de estresse pós-traumático), na saúde física (estado físico, atividades da vida diária, fadiga e fraqueza muscular), na saúde social e na capacidade de realização de suas atividades sociais (amigos ou relações familiares, hobbies e atividades sociais).

Introduction: Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterised by hyperinflammatory state, systemic coagulopathies, and multiorgan involvement, especially acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We here describe our preliminary clinical experience with COVID-19 patients treated via an early initiation of extracorporeal blood purification combined with systemic heparinisation and respiratory support. Methods: Fifteen patients were included; several biomarkers associated with COVID-19 severity were monitored. Personalised treatment was tailored according to the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor alpha, C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, thrombocyte counts, D-dimers, and fibrinogen. Treatment consisted of respiratory support, extracorporeal blood purification using the AN69ST (oXiris®) hemofilter, and 300 U/kg heparin to maintain activation clotting time ≥ 180 seconds. Results: Ten patients presented with severe to critical disease (dyspnoea, hypoxia, respiratory rate > 30/min, peripheral oxygen saturation < 90%, or > 50% lung involvement on X-ray imaging). The median intensive care unit length of stay was 9.3 days (interquartile range 5.3-10.1); two patients developed ARDS and died after 5 and 26 days. Clinical improvement was associated with normalisation (increase) of thrombocytes and white blood cells, stable levels of IL-6 (< 50 ng/mL), and a decrease of CRP and fibrinogen. Conclusion: Continuous monitoring of COVID-19 severity biomarkers and radiological imaging is crucial to assess disease progression, uncontrolled inflammation, and to avert irreversible multiorgan failure. The combination of systemic heparin anticoagulation regimens and extracorporeal blood purification using cytokine-adsorbing hemofilters may reduce hyperinflammation, prevent coagulopathy, and support clinical recovery.

Background Flow-controlled ventilation (FCV) is a novel ventilation method increasingly being used clinically, particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, the continuous flow pattern in FCV during inspiration and expiration has a significant impact on respiratory parameters and ventilatory settings compared to conventional ventilation modes. In addition, the constant flow combined with direct intratracheal pressure measurement allows determination of dynamic compliance and ventilation settings can be adjusted accordingly, reflecting a personalized ventilation approach. Case presentation A 50-year old women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was admitted to a tertiary medical center. Initial ventilation occurred with best standard of care pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) and was then switched to FCV, by adopting PCV ventilator settings. This led to an increase in oxygenation by 30 %. Subsequently, to reduce invasiveness of mechanical ventilation, FCV was individualized by dynamic compliance guided adjustment of both, positive end-expiratory pressure and peak pressure; this intervention reduced driving pressure from 18 to 12 cm H2O. However, after several hours, compliance further deteriorated which resulted in a tidal volume of only 4.7 ml/kg. Conclusions An individualized FCV approach increased oxygenation parameters in a patient suffering from severe COVID-19 related ARDS. Direct intratracheal pressure measurements allow for determination of dynamic compliance and thus optimization of ventilator settings, thereby reducing applied and dissipated energy. However, although desirable, this personalized ventilation strategy may reach its limits when lung function is so severely impaired that patient’s oxygenation has to be ensured at the expense of lung protective ventilation concepts.

ilustraciones, fotografías, gráficas, tablas Resumen Asociación del puntaje de evaluación del edema pulmonar en radiografía de tórax (RALE) con desenlaces clínicos en adultos con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda hospitalizados en dos unidades de cuidado intensivo de la ciudad de Bogotá (Resolución 023 de 2015. Artículo 02)* Objetivo: estudio de corte retrospectiva para estimar la asociación del puntaje RALE con desenlaces clínicos en pacientes con diagnóstico de SDRA definido por criterios de Berlín. Metodología: Se evaluó el puntaje RALE de 180 pacientes de la Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo del Hospital Universitario Nacional de Colombia y del Hospital de Santa Clara en la radiografía inicial y en un control a los 3 días, por cuatro radiólogos, calculándose la concordancia intra e interobservador con gráficos de dispersión de Bland-Altman y coeficiente de Lin. Se asocio el puntaje RALE con la mortalidad, la supervivencia y los días libres de ventilador usando regresión logística no condicional multivariada, método de Kaplan Meier y modelos de regresión de Cox multivariado. Finalmente, se determinó la correlación del puntaje RALE en relación con la severidad de SDRA mediante un modelo de regresión lineal multivariado, se realizó un análisis por subgrupo de los pacientes con diagnóstico de ingreso de infección por SARS-CoV2. Resultados: No se encontró asociación del puntaje RALE con mortalidad, días libres de ventilador, estancia hospitalaria ni severidad de SDRA establecida mediante los criterios de Berlin. Se encontró asociación con la presencia de falla renal con días libres de ventilación (OR 2.96 IC 95% 1.29 – 6.79 p 0.010) y con mortalidad (OR 2.47 IC 95% 1.17 – 5.19 p 0.017), levemente de edad con supervivencia global (HR 1.03 IC 95% 1.01 – 1.05 p 0.000) y con mortalidad (OR 1.06 IC 95% 1.03 – 1.09 p 0.000); estas asociaciones se mantuvieron en el análisis por subgrupo. Así mismo, el puntaje RALE en nuestro estudio tuvo pobre concordancia interobservador, presentando concordancia sustancial intraobservador para solo un radiólogo. Conclusión: El puntaje RALE demuestra pobre concordancia intra e interobservador tanto en radiólogos no expertos como expertos, incluso completando la muestra calculada para el estudio solo se demostró asociación fuerte y significativa con la presencia de falla renal y mayor riesgo de mortalidad y menos días libres de ventilación. No es posible establecer puntos de corte para el puntaje dado su alta heterogeneidad y sobreposición de sus resultados en las categorías de severidad. Se propone realizar una simplificación del puntaje con el fin de encontrar mejor reproducibilidad y concordancia. (Texto tomado de la fuente). Abstract Association between Radiographic Assessment of Lung Oedema score (RALE) and clinical outcomes in adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome from two intensive care units in Bogotá Objective: Retrospective cohort to estimate the association between RALE score and clinical outcomes in patients with ARDS defined by Berlin criteria. Methodology: RALE score was evaluated in 180 patients from Hospital Universitario Nacional de Colombia and Hospital Santa Clara ICU on the initial radiography and a control in 3 days, by four radiologists, calculating intra and interobserver agreement using Bland-Altman graphics and Lin coefficient. Associations between RALE score and mortality, survival and ventilator free days were sought using non conditional multivariate logistic regression, Kaplan Meier method and multivariate Cox regression models. Finally, we determined the correlation of RALE score and ARDS severity by multivariate linear regression model, we conducted a subgroup analysis of SARS-CoV2 patients. Results: No association was found between RALE score and mortality, ventilator-free days, days in hospital or ARDS severity per Berlin criteria. Association was found between kidney failure and mortality (OR 2.47 IC 95% 1.17 – 5.19 p 0.017) and with ventilator free days (OR 2.96 IC 95% 1.29 – 6.79 p 0.010), also between age and global survival (HR 1.03 IC 95% 1.01 – 1.05 p 0.000) and with mortality (OR 1.06 IC 95% 1.03 – 1.09 p 0.000); this associations were maintained on the subgroup analysis. In addition, RALE score in our study had por interobserver agreement, with substantial intraobserver agreement for just one radiologist. Conclusion: RALE score showed poor intra and interobserver agreement so much in expert as in non-expert radiologists, even with complete calculated sample strong and significant associations were found between kidney failure and higher risk of mortality, and also with ventilator free days. It is not possible to stablish cut off points for the score given its high heterogeneity and results superposition on the severity categories. We propose to simplify the score in order to achieve better reproducibility and agreement. Incluye anexos Especialidades Médicas Especialista en Radiología e Imágenes Diagnósticas

To identify the possible association between driving pressure and mechanical power values and oxygenation index on the first day of mechanical ventilation with the mortality of trauma patients without a diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome.Patients under pressure-controlled or volume-controlled ventilation were included, with data collection 24 hours after orotracheal intubation. Patient follow-up was performed for 30 days to obtain the clinical outcome. The patients were admitted to two intensive care units of the Hospital de Pronto Socorro de Porto Alegre from June to September 2019.A total of 24 patients were evaluated. Driving pressure, mechanical power and oxygenation index were similar among patients who survived and those who died, with no statistically significant difference between groups.Driving pressure, mechanical power and oxygenation index values obtained on the first day of mechanical ventilation were not associated with mortality of trauma patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome.Identificar a existência de associação entre os valores de driving pressure e mechanical power e do índice de oxigenação no primeiro dia de ventilação mecânica com a mortalidade de pacientes vítimas de trauma sem diagnóstico de síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo.Foram incluídos pacientes ventilados em modo de pressão ou volume controlado, com coleta de dados 24 horas após sua intubação orotraqueal. O acompanhamento do paciente foi realizado por 30 dias para obter o desfecho clínico. Os pacientes estiveram internados em duas unidades de terapia intensiva do Hospital de Pronto Socorro de Porto Alegre, no período de junho a setembro de 2019.Foram avaliados 24 pacientes. Os valores de driving pressure, mechanical power e do índice de oxigenação foram similares entre os pacientes que sobreviveram e os que tiveram desfecho de óbito, sem diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos.Os valores de driving pressure, mechanical power e índice de oxigenação obtidos no primeiro dia de ventilação mecânica não demonstraram ter associação com a mortalidade de pacientes vítimas de trauma sem síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo.

Objective: To evaluate the association that protective mechanical ventilation (MV), based on VT and maximum distending pressure (MDP), has with mortality in patients at risk for ARDS. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in an ICU and including 116 patients on MV who had at least one risk factor for the development of ARDS. Ventilatory parameters were collected twice a day for seven days, and patients were divided into two groups (protective MV and nonprotective MV) based on the MDP (difference between maximum airway pressure and PEEP) or VT. The outcome measures were 28-day mortality, ICU mortality, and in-hospital mortality. The risk factors associated with the adoption of nonprotective MV were also assessed. Results: Nonprotective MV based on VT and MDP was applied in 49 (42.2%) and 38 (32.8%) of the patients, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression showed that protective MV based on MDP was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.19-0.73) and lower ICU mortality (hazard ratio = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.19-0.85), after adjustment for age, Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3, and vasopressor use, as well as the baseline values for PaO2/FiO2 ratio, PEEP, pH, and PaCO2. These associations were not observed when nonprotective MV was based on the VT. Conclusions: The MDP seems to be a useful tool, better than VT, for adjusting MV in patients at risk for ARDS. RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a associação da ventilação mecânica (VM) protetora, com base no VT e na pressão de distensão máxima (PDM), com a mortalidade em pacientes com fator de risco para SDRA. Métodos: Este estudo de coorte prospectivo foi conduzido em uma UTI e incluiu 116 pacientes em VM que apresentavam pelo menos um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de SDRA. Os parâmetros ventilatórios foram coletados duas vezes ao dia durante sete dias, e os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos (VM protetora e VM não protetora) com base na PDM (diferença entre pressão máxima de vias aéreas e PEEP) ou no VT. Os desfechos foram mortalidade em 28 dias, mortalidade na UTI e mortalidade hospitalar. Os fatores de risco associados com a adoção da VM não protetora também foram avaliados. Resultados: A VM não protetora com base no VT e na PDM ocorreu em 49 (42,2%) e em 38 (32,8%) dos pacientes, respectivamente. A regressão multivariada de Cox mostrou que a VM protetora com base na PDM associou-se a menor mortalidade hospitalar (hazard ratio = 0,37; IC95%: 0,19-0,73) e em UTI (hazard ratio = 0,40; IC95%, 0,19-0,85), após ajuste para idade, Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3, uso de vasopressor e valores basais de PaO2/FiO2, PEEP, pH e PaCO2. Essas associações não foram observadas quando a VM não protetora foi baseada no VT. Conclusões: A PDM parece ser uma ferramenta útil, melhor do que o VT, para o ajuste da VM em pacientes sob risco para SDRA.

Objective: To evaluate the association that protective mechanical ventilation (MV), based on VT and maximum distending pressure (MDP), has with mortality in patients at risk for ARDS. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in an ICU and including 116 patients on MV who had at least one risk factor for the development of ARDS. Ventilatory parameters were collected twice a day for seven days, and patients were divided into two groups (protective MV and nonprotective MV) based on the MDP (difference between maximum airway pressure and PEEP) or VT. The outcome measures were 28-day mortality, ICU mortality, and in-hospital mortality. The risk factors associated with the adoption of nonprotective MV were also assessed. Results: Nonprotective MV based on VT and MDP was applied in 49 (42.2%) and 38 (32.8%) of the patients, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression showed that protective MV based on MDP was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.19-0.73) and lower ICU mortality (hazard ratio = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.19-0.85), after adjustment for age, Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3, and vasopressor use, as well as the baseline values for PaO2/FiO2 ratio, PEEP, pH, and PaCO2. These associations were not observed when nonprotective MV was based on the VT. Conclusions: The MDP seems to be a useful tool, better than VT, for adjusting MV in patients at risk for ARDS.

RESUMEN Un nuevo coronavirus, denominado COVID-19, fue descubierto por el brote iniciado en China a finales de diciembre del año 2019. Los síntomas característicos son fiebre, tos seca, dificultad respiratoria y malestar general. Muchas investigaciones se están llevando a cabo ya que, si bien no es una enfermedad considerada mortal, tiene un índice de contagio muy alto. Sin embargo, junto a los cuidados hospitalarios y extrahospitalarios, existe un grupo de fármacos que se vienen utilizando para combatir esta enfermedad, tales como hidroxicloroquina, cloroquina, remdesivir, lopinavir/ritonavir, tocilizumab, interferón beta 1B, entre otros. ABSTRACT A novel coronavirus disease called COVID-19 was discovered as a result of the outbreak that began in China at the end of December 2019. Common symptoms are fever, dry cough, shortness of breath and malaise. Several research are being conducted since the disease has high transmission rate even though it is not considered life-threatening. However, together with hospital and out-of-hospital care, there is a group of medications being used to fight this disease, such as hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, remdesivir, lopinavir/ritonavir, tocilizumab, interferon beta-1b, among others.

ilustraciones, gráficas, tablas Una pequeña pero considerable proporción de pacientes COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pueden desarrollar síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo (SDRA) severo con requerimiento de ventilación mecánica invasiva, lo cual condiciona un riesgo elevado de mortalidad. La terapia prono es una de las pocas intervenciones que ha demostrado mejorar la supervivencia en pacientes con SDRA severo. Dado que es importante caracterizar nuestra población para optimizar estrategias en la atención médica, se planteó el siguiente estudio. Objetivo primario: Establecer los factores de riesgo asociados a mortalidad en pacientes con SDRA secundario a COVID-19 que son sometidos a terapia de ventilación mecánica en prono, en un hospital universitario de Bogotá. Colombia. Metodología: Estudio observacional, analítico, de cohorte retrospectiva. La información se recopiló de la base de datos de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) del Hospital Universitario Nacional de Colombia (HUN) desde marzo de 2020 a marzo de 2021. La estadística descriptiva se organizó en frecuencias y porcentajes para variables categóricas y, rangos, mediana, media y desviación estándar (DE) para variables continuas. El análisis bivariado se estableció con significancia a 2 colas con p < 0.05, T student para variables continuas y test de Chi2 para variables cualitativas. Finalmente, el análisis multivariado se llevo a cabo con un modelo de regresión logística. Resultados: Fueron analizados 242 pacientes, 171 hombres (70.6%) y 71 mujeres (29.3%). El promedio de edad fue de 62.9 años (DE 12.5). Las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron la hipertensión arterial (HTA) con 48.7%, obesidad (39.6%) y diabetes (29.3%). Al ingreso a UCI las alteraciones en laboratorios más frecuentes fueron, elevación de dímero D y proteína C reactiva (PCR). El valor de la relación entre la PaO2 y la FiO2 (PaFi) fue considerablemente bajo (106.97, DE 32.9) al ingreso a la UCI. La mortalidad global fue de 52.5%. Los pacientes no sobrevivientes presentaron significativamente mayor edad y mayor prevalencia de HTA, así mismo presentaron niveles mayores de PCR y lactato sérico. También presentaron mayor requerimiento de soporte vasopresor y terapia de reemplazo renal. Se identificaron como factores de riesgo independientes la edad (OR 1.06 [1.03 – 1.08]), la terapia de reemplazo renal (OR 2.22 [1.08 – 4.61]) y el valor del lactato de ingreso a UCI (1.62 [1.03 – 2.6]). El valor de PaFi al tercer ciclo prono fue predictor de supervivencia (OR 0.99 [0.98 – 0.99]). Conclusión: La mortalidad en los pacientes con COVID-19 ventilados mecánicamente y sometidos a terapia prono es alta. La edad, el valor de lactato sérico al ingreso a UCI y el requerimiento de terapia de reemplazo renal son factores de riesgo asociados a mortalidad. La mejoría de la PaFi al tercer ciclo prono predice supervivencia. (Texto tomado de la fuente). Background: A small but considerable proportion of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) patients may develop severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, which conditions a high risk of mortality. Prone therapy is one of the few interventions that have been shown to improve survival in patients with severe ARDS. Because it is important to characterize our population to optimize strategies in medical care, the following study was proposed. Primary aim: To establish the risk factors associated with mortality in patients with ARDS secondary to COVID-19 who received prone mechanical ventilation therapy in a university hospital in Bogotá. Colombia. Methods: Observational, analytical, retrospective cohort study. The information was collected from the database of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the National University Hospital of Colombia (HUN) from March 2020 to March 2021. The descriptive statistics were organized in frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and, ranges, median, mean and standard deviation (SD) for continuous variables. The bivariate analysis was established with 2-tailed significance with p < 0.05, T student for continuous variables and Chi2 test for qualitative variables. Finally, the multivariate analysis was carried out with a logistic regression model. Results: A total of 242 patients were analyzed, 171 men (70.6%) and 71 women (29.3%). The average age was 62.9 years (SD 12.5). The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (48.7%), obesity (39.6%) and diabetes (29.3%). Upon admission to the ICU, the most frequent laboratory abnormalities were elevated D-dimer and CRP. Ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) to fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) was considerably low (106.97, SD 32.9) on admission to the ICU. Overall mortality was 52.5%. Non-surviving patients were significantly older and had a higher prevalence of hypertension, as well as higher levels of CRP and serum lactate. They also presented a higher requirement for vasopressor support and renal replacement therapy. Age (OR 1.06 [1.03 – 1.08]), renal replacement therapy (OR 2.22 [1.08 – 4.61]), and ICU admission lactate value (1.62 [1.03 – 2.6]) were identified as independent risk factors. The PaFi value at the third prone cycle was a predictor of survival (OR 0.99 [0.98 – 0.99]). Conclusions: Mortality in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients undergoing prone therapy is high. Age, serum lactate value at admission to the ICU and the requirement for renal replacement therapy are risk factors associated with mortality. The improvement of PaFi at the third prone cycle predicts survival. Especialidades Médicas Especialista en Anestesiología y Reanimación Estudio observacional, analítico, de cohorte retrospectiva. La información se recopiló de la base de datos de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) del Hospital Universitario Nacional de Colombia (HUN) desde marzo de 2020 a marzo de 2021. La estadística descriptiva se organizó en frecuencias y porcentajes para variables categóricas y, rangos, mediana, media y desviación estándar (DE) para variables continuas. El análisis bivariado se estableció con significancia a 2 colas con p < 0.05, T student para variables continuas y test de Chi2 para variables cualitativas. Finalmente, el análisis multivariado se llevo a cabo con un modelo de regresión logística.

Many lung disease processes are characterized by structural and functional heterogeneity that is not directly appreciable with traditional physiological measurements. Experimental methods and lung function modeling to study regional lung function are crucial for better understanding of disease mechanisms and for targeting treatment. Synchrotron radiation offers useful properties to this end: coherence, utilized in phase-contrast imaging, and high flux and a wide energy spectrum which allow the selection of very narrow energy bands of radiation, thus allowing imaging at very specific energies. K-edge subtraction imaging (KES) has thus been developed at synchrotrons for both human and small animal imaging. The unique properties of synchrotron radiation extend X-ray computed tomography (CT) capabilities to quantitatively assess lung morphology, and also to map regional lung ventilation, perfusion, inflammation and biomechanical properties, with microscopic spatial resolution. Four-dimensional imaging, allows the investigation of the dynamics of regional lung functional parameters simultaneously with structural deformation of the lung as a function of time. This review summarizes synchrotron radiation imaging methods and overviews examples of its application in the study of disease mechanisms in preclinical animal models, as well as the potential for clinical translation both through the knowledge gained using these techniques and transfer of imaging technology to laboratory X-ray sources.

Inhibition der Wirkung des Anaphylatoxins C5a hat sich in der Vergangenheit benefiziell auf die Verläufe verschiedener tierexperimenteller akuter Lungenschaden (ALI)-Modelle ausgewirkt. Hierzu zählen die Immunkomplex-vermittelte ALI, Cecal Ligation and Puncture (CLP)-assoziierte ALI, sowie durch isoliertes Thoraxtrauma verursachte ALI. In vorliegender Arbeit wurde untersucht, inwiefern C5a in einem klinisch relevanten Double-hit Modell von Thoraxtrauma und polymikrobieller Sepsis die Inflammation in der Lunge sowie die Apoptose beeinträchtigt. Hierzu wurden C5–/– Mäuse einem stumpfen Thoraxtrauma ausgesetzt und 24 Stunden später eine polymikrobiellen Sepsis induziert oder eine korrespondierende Sham-Prozedur für die Kontrollgruppen durchgeführt. Die Proben wurden zum Zeitpunkt 12 Stunden nach CLP gewonnen. Als Zeichen einer abgeschwächten systemischen Entzündungsreaktion waren Keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) und Monocyte Chemotattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) im Plasma bei C5–/– Mäusen stark reduziert. Die Konzentrationen der proinflammatorischen Zytokine Interleukin-6 (IL-6), MCP-1 sowie Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in der bronchoalveolären Lavage war bei C5-Defizienz jedoch deutlich erhöht. Ebenso konnte das Fehlen von C5 die Myeloperoxidase (MPO)-Aktivität in der Lunge als Indikator für die polymorphkernige neutrophile Granulozyten (PMN)-Migration in vorliegendem ALI-Modell nicht senken. In C5–/– Mäusen konnte zwar weniger aktive Caspase-3 im Lungengewebe nachgewiesen werden, dennoch war das Gesamtprotein in der BAL gegenüber Wildtyp deutlich erhöht. So konnte in vorliegender Arbeit gezeigt werden, dass in einem klinisch relevanten Double-Hit Modell der Thoraxtrauma-induzierten septischen akuten Lungenverletzung C5-Defizienz Apoptose in der Lunge positiv beeinflusst, insgesamt jedoch weder eine überschiessende Inflammation noch die Migration von PMN in die Lunge reduziert werden konnte.

We report on a 3-month old infant male who had a seven-days history of fever and rhinorrhea associated with wheezing prior to his death, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Viral testing for Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) was negative but was positive for Coronavirus 229E and RP Human Rhinovirus. The pulmonary histological examination showed diffuse alveolar damage along with thrombotic microangiopathy affecting alveolar capillaries. Also, thrombotic microangiopathy was evident in the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys and liver. Thrombotic microangiopathy is a major pathologic finding in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and in the multiorgan failure. This is the first report that illustrates thrombotic microangiopathy occurring in lung, heart, liver, kidney and brain in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Coronavirus 229E with Rhinovirus co-infection. The clinical presentation and pathological findings in our case share common features with Covid-19.

Patient: Male, 24-year-old Final Diagnosis: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) • COVID-19 • diabetic ketoacidosis Symptoms: Hematemesis • nausea • vomitting Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Critical Care Medicine • Endocrinology and Metabolic • Infectious Diseases Objective: Rare co-existance of disease or pathology Background: In early 2020, severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus 2 caused an outbreak of a viral pneumonia that rapidly progressed to a global pandemic. Most cases presented with mild respiratory symptoms and required only supportive care with instructions to self-quarantine at home. Others had more severe symptoms that became complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and required hospitalization. Case Report: In this report, we present the case of a young patient in New York City who presented to our hospital with coronavirus disease 2019-induced diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) that progressed to ARDS and subsequent death. The patient was managed for DKA on presentation with insulin protocol and acidosis management. However, it became evident that he had underlying respiratory complications, which later presented as ARDS requiring mechanical ventilation and antibiotics. Conclusions: We recommend that clinicians be aware of this potentially fatal complication in all patients with pre-existing diabetes. Simultaneously, a low threshold for intubation should be advocated for patients with concurrent COVID-19 and type I diabetes mellitus since the potential for poor clinical outcomes from respiratory demise may be lessened by early respiratory intervention.

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new infectious disease, and acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS) plays an important role in the process of disease aggravation. The detailed clinical course and risk factors of ARDS have not been well described. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively investigated the demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of adult confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Beijing Ditan Hospital from Jan 20 to Feb 29, 2020 and compared the differences between ARDS cases and non-ARDS cases. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were employed to explore the risk factors associated with ARDS. RESULTS Of the 130 adult patients enrolled in this study, the median age was 46.5 (34-62) years and 76 (58.5%) were male. ARDS developed in 26 (20.0%) and 1 (0.8%) death occurred. Fever occurred in 114 patients, with a median highest temperature of 38.5 (38-39)°C and median fever duration of 8 (3-11) days. The median time from illness onset to ARDS was 10 (6-13) days, the median time to chest CT improvement was 17 (14-21) days, and median time to negative nucleic acid test result was 27 (17-33) days. Multivariate regression analysis showed increasing odds of ARDS associated with age older than 65 years (OR=4.75, 95% CL1.26-17.89, P=0.021), lymphocyte counts [0.5-1×10⁹/L (OR=8.80, 95% CL 2.22-34.99, P=0.002);0.5×10⁹/L(OR=36.23, 95% CL 4.63-2083.48, P=0.001)], and temperature peak ≥39.1°C (OR=5.35, 95% CL 1.38-20.76, P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS ARDS tended to occur in the second week of the disease course. Potential risk factors for ARDS were older age (65 years), lymphopenia (≤1.0×10⁹/L), and temperature peak (≥39.1°C). These findings could help clinicians to predict which patients will have a poor prognosis at an early stage.

Patient: Male, 57-year-old Final Diagnosis: COVID-19 Symptoms: Shortness of breath • hypoxia Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) Specialty: Infectious Diseases • Pulmonology Objective: Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with lung inflammation and cytokine storm. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a safe, non-invasive therapy with significant anti-inflammatory effects. Adjunct PBMT has been employed in treating patients with lung conditions. Human studies and experimental models of respiratory disease suggest PBMT reduces inflammation and promotes lung healing. This is the first time supportive PBMT was used in a severe case of COVID-19 pneumonia. Case Report: A 57-year-old African American man with severe COVID-19 received 4 once-daily PBMT sessions by a laser scanner with pulsed 808 nm and super-pulsed 905 nm modes for 28 min. The patient was evaluated before and after treatment via radiological assessment of lung edema (RALE) by CXR, pulmonary severity indices, blood tests, oxygen requirements, and patient questionnaires. Oxygen saturation (SpO2) increased from 93–94% to 97–100%, while the oxygen requirement decreased from 2–4 L/min to 1 L/min. The RALE score improved from 8 to 5. The Pneumonia Severity Index improved from Class V (142) to Class II (67). Additional pulmonary indices (Brescia-COVID and SMART-COP) both decreased from 4 to 0. CRP normalized from 15.1 to 1.23. The patient reported substantial improvement in the Community-Acquired Pneumonia assessment tool. Conclusions: This report has presented supportive PBMT in a patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Respiratory indices, radiological findings, oxygen requirements, and patient outcomes improved over several days and without need for a ventilator. Future controlled clinical trials are required to evaluate the effects of PBMT on clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Case series Patients: Male, 72-year-old • Male, 70-year-old Final Diagnosis: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) • COVID-19 • COVID-19 pneumonia Symptoms: Cough • fever • malaise • nausea • respiratory distress • vomiting Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Critical Care Medicine • Infectious Diseases • Radiology Objective: Rare disease Background: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona-virus 2 can rapidly progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Because clinical diagnosis of ARDS includes several diseases, understanding the characteristics of COVID-19-related ARDS is necessary for precise treatment. We report 2 patients with ARDS due to COVID-19-associated pneumonia. Case Report: Case 1 involved a 72-year-old Japanese man who presented with respiratory distress and fever. Computed tomography (CT) revealed subpleural ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and consolidation. Six days after symptom onset, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing confirmed the diagnosis of COVID-19-associated pneumonia. He was intubated and received veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) 8 days after symptom onset. Follow-up CT revealed large diffuse areas with a crazy-paving pattern and consolidation, which indicated progression of COVID-19-associated pneumonia. Following treatment with antiviral medications and supportive measures, the patient was weaned off ECMO after 20 days. Case 2 involved a 70-year-old Asian man residing in Canada who presented with cough, malaise, nausea, vomiting, and fever. COVID-19-associated pneumonia was diagnosed based on a positive result from RT-PCR testing. The patient was then transferred to the intensive care unit and intubated 8 days after symptom onset. Follow-up CT showed that while the initial subpleural GGOs had improved, diffuse GGOs appeared, similar to those observed upon diffuse alveolar damage. He was administered systemic steroid therapy for ARDS and extubated after 6 days. Conclusions: Because the pattern of symptom exacerbation in COVID-19-associated pneumonia cases seems inconsistent, individual treatment management, especially the CT-based treatment strategy, is crucial.

Traced back to December 2019, an unexpected outbreak of a highly contagious new coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) has rapidly swept around China and the globe. There have now been an estimated 2 580 000 infections and more than 170 000 fatal cases around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that approximately 14% of infections developed into severe disease, 5% were critically ill, and the mortality rate of critically ill patients is reported to be over 50%. The shortage of specific anti-viral treatment and vaccines remains a huge challenge. In COVID-19, refractory hypoxemia is common among the critically ill with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) despite invasive mechanical ventilation, and is further complicated by respiratory and circulatory failure. This difficult situation calls for the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for assisting respiration and circulation if necessary. This article reviews the pertinent clinical literature, technical guidance, and expert recommendations on use of ECMO in critically ill cases of COVID-19. Here, we present basic knowledge and opinions about COVID-19 and ECMO, review the evidence on ECMO use in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and H1N1 influenza, share the technical guidance and recommendations on use of ECMO in COVID-19, summarize the current use of ECMO against COVID-19 in China, and discuss the issues in use of ECMO in COVID-19.

COVID-19 is now a worldwide concern, causing an unprecedented pandemic. The infected cases show different symptoms based on the severity of the disease. In asymptomatic and non-severe symptomatic cases, the host immune system can successfully eliminate the virus and its effects. In severe cases, however, immune system impairment causes cytokine release syndrome which eventually leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In recent years, photobiomodulation (PBM) has shown promising results in reducing acute pulmonary inflammation. Considering the high potential impact of PBM on immune responses, we hypothesized that using PBM could be an effective treatment modality for ARDS management in COVID-19 patients.

The novel coronavirus Covid-19 follows transmission route and clinical presentation of all community-acquired coronaviruses. Instead, the rate of transmission is significative higher, with a faster spread of the virus responsible of the worldwide outbreak and a significative higher mortality rate due to the development of a severe lung injury. Most noteworthy is the distribution of death rate among age groups. Children and younger people are almost protected from severe clinical presentation. Possible explanation of this phenomenon could be the ability of past vaccinations (especially tetanic, diphtheria toxoids and inactivated bacteria as pertussis) to stimulate immune system and to generate a scattered immunity against non-self antigens in transit, as coronaviruses and other community-circulating viruses and make immune system readier to develop specific immunity against Covid-19. The first support to this hypothesis is the distribution of mortality rate during historical pandemics ("Spanish flu" 1918, "Asian flu" 1956 and "the Hong Kong flu" 1968) among age groups before and after the introduction of vaccines. The immunological support to the hypothesis derives from recent studies about immunotherapy for malignancies, which propose the use of oncolytic vaccines combined with toxoids in order to exploit CD4 + memory T cell recall in supporting the ongoing anti-tumour response. According to this hypothesis vaccine formulations (tetanus, diphtheria, Bordetella pertussis) could be re-administrate after the first contact with Covid-19, better before the development of respiratory severe illness and of course before full-blown ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). The CD4 + memory exploiting could help immune system to recall immunity of already know antigens against coronaviruses, avoiding or limiting "lung crash" until virus specific immunity develops and making it faster and prolonged. Finally, this administration could be helpful not only in already infected patients, but also before infection. In fact, people could have an immune system more ready when the contact with the Covid-19 will occur.

Patient: Male, 29-year-old Final Diagnosis: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) • COVID-19 •multi organ failure/septic shock • pneumothorax Symptoms: Cough • dyspnea • fatigue • myalgia Medication:— Clinical Procedure: Mechanical ventilation • thoracentesis Specialty: Critical Care Medicine Objective: Unknown ethiology Background: COVID-19 patients that develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) “CARDS” behave differently compared to patients with classic forms of ARDS. Recently 2 CARDS phenotypes have been described, Type L and Type H. Most patients stabilize at the milder form, Type L, while an unknown subset progress to Type H, resembling full-blown ARDS. If uncorrected, phenotypic conversion can induce a rapid downward spiral towards progressive lung injury, vasoplegia, and pulmonary shrinkage, risking ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) known as the “VILI vortex”. No cases of in-hospital phenotypic conversion have been reported, while ventilation strategies in these patients differ from the lung-protective approaches seen in classic ARDS. Case Report: A 29-year old male was admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia complicated by severe ARDS, multi-organ failure, cytokine release syndrome, and coagulopathy during his admission. He initially resembled CARDS Type L case, although refractory hypoxemia, fevers, and a high viral burden prompted conversion to Type H within 8 days. Despite ventilation strategies, neuromuscular blockade, inhalation therapy, and vitamin C, he remained asynchronous to the ventilator with volumes and pressures beyond accepted thresholds, eventually developing a fatal tension pneumothorax. Conclusions: Patients that convert to Type H can quickly enter a spiral of hypoxemia, shunting, and dead-space ventilation towards full-blown ARDS. Understanding its nuances is vital to interrupting phenotypic conversion and entry into VILI vortex. Tension pneumothorax represents a poor outcome in patients with CARDS. Further research into monitoring lung dynamics, modifying ventilation strategies, and understanding response to various modes of ventilation in CARDS are required to mitigate these adverse outcomes.

Patient: Male, 67-year-old Final Diagnosis: Acute cardiac injury • COVID-19 • pulmonary embolism • stroke Symptoms: Confusion • diarrhea • dysarthria • fever • myalgia • sore throat Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Mechanical ventilation Specialty: Critical Care Medicine Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the viral pathogen responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a pandemic respiratory illness. While many patients experience mild to moderate symptoms, severely affected patients often progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Specific to COVID-19, abnormal coagulability appears to be a principal instigator in the progression of disease severity and mortality. In this report we summarize a case of COVID-19 in which extreme thrombophilia led to patient demise. Case Report: A 67-year-old man in New York presented to the hospital 14 days after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at an outpatient site. His initial presenting symptoms included sore throat, headache, fever, and diarrhea. He was brought in by his wife after developing sudden onset confusion and dysarthria. The patient’s clinical picture, which was unstable on presentation, further deteriorated to involve significant desaturations, generalized seizure activity, and cardiac arrest requiring resuscitation. Upon return to spontaneous circulation, the patient required intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, and vasopressor increases. Comprehensive workup uncovered coagulopathy with multiple thrombotic events involving the brain and lungs as well as radiographic evidence of severe lung disease. In the face of an unfavorable clinical picture, the family opted for comfort care measures. Conclusions: In this case report on a 67-year-old-man with COVID-19, we present an account of extreme hypercoagulability that led to multiple thrombotic events eventually resulting in the man’s demise. Abnormal coagulation 14 days from positive testing raises the question of whether outpatients with COVID-19 should be screened for hypercoagulability and treated with prophylactic anticoagulation/antiplatelet agents.

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2-induced coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease that affects > 2.8 million people worldwide, with numbers increasing dramatically daily. However, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 and much remains unknown about this disease. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2 is a cellular receptor of SARS-CoV-2. It is cleaved by type II transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS)2 and disintegrin and metallopeptidase domain (ADAM)17 to assist viral entry into host cells. Clinically, SARS-CoV-2 infection may result in acute lung injury and lung fibrosis, but the underlying mechanisms of COVID-19 induced lung fibrosis are not fully understood. Methods The networks of ACE2 and its interacting molecules were identified using bioinformatic methods. Their gene and protein expressions were measured in human epithelial cells after 24 h SARS-CoV-2 infection, or in existing datasets of lung fibrosis patients. Results We confirmed the binding of SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 by bioinformatic analysis. TMPRSS2, ADAM17, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)3, angiotensinogen (AGT), transformation growth factor beta (TGFB1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A and fibronectin (FN) were interacted with ACE2, and the mRNA and protein of these molecules were expressed in lung epithelial cells. SARS-CoV-2 infection increased ACE2, TGFB1, CTGF and FN1 mRNA that were drivers of lung fibrosis. These changes were also found in lung tissues from lung fibrosis patients. Conclusions Therefore, SARS-CoV-2 binds with ACE2 and activates fibrosis-related genes and processes to induce lung fibrosis.

SCOPUS: le.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

RESUMO Objetivo: A infecção causada pelo coronavírus da síndrome respiratória aguda grave 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disseminou-se por todo o mundo e foi categorizada como pandemia. As manifestações mais comuns da infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 (doença pelo coronavírus 2019 - COVID-19) se referem a uma pneumonia viral com graus variáveis de comprometimento respiratório e até 40% dos pacientes hospitalizados, que podem desenvolver uma síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo. Diferentes ensaios clínicos avaliaram o papel dos corticosteroides na síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo não relacionada com COVID-19, obtendo resultados conflitantes. Delineamos o presente estudo para avaliar a eficácia da administração endovenosa precoce de dexametasona no número de dias vivo e sem ventilação mecânica nos 28 dias após a randomização, em pacientes adultos com quadro moderado ou grave de síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo causada por COVID-19 provável ou confirmada. Métodos: Este é um ensaio pragmático, prospectivo, randomizado, estratificado, multicêntrico, aberto e controlado que incluirá 350 pacientes com quadro inicial (menos de 48 horas antes da randomização) de síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo moderada ou grave, definida segundo os critérios de Berlim, causada por COVID-19. Os pacientes elegíveis serão alocados de forma aleatória para tratamento padrão mais dexametasona (Grupo Intervenção) ou tratamento padrão sem dexametasona (Grupo Controle). Os pacientes no Grupo Intervenção receberão dexametasona 20mg por via endovenosa uma vez ao dia, por 5 dias, e, a seguir, dexametasona por via endovenosa 10mg ao dia por mais 5 dias, ou até receber alta da unidade de terapia intensiva, o que ocorrer antes. O desfecho primário será o número de dias livres de ventilação mecânica nos 28 dias após a randomização, definido como o número de dias vivo e livres de ventilação mecânica invasiva. Os desfechos secundários serão a taxa de mortalidade por todas as causas no dia 28, a condição clínica no dia 15 avaliada com utilização de uma escala ordinal de seis níveis, a duração da ventilação mecânica desde a randomização até o dia 28, a avaliação com o Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score após 48 horas, 72 horas e 7 dias, e o número de dias fora da unidade de terapia intensiva nos 28 dias após a randomização. Abstract Objective: The infection caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spreads worldwide and is considered a pandemic. The most common manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection (coronavirus disease 2019 - COVID-19) is viral pneumonia with varying degrees of respiratory compromise and up to 40% of hospitalized patients might develop acute respiratory distress syndrome. Several clinical trials evaluated the role of corticosteroids in non-COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome with conflicting results. We designed a trial to evaluate the effectiveness of early intravenous dexamethasone administration on the number of days alive and free of mechanical ventilation within 28 days after randomization in adult patients with moderate or severe acute respiratory distress syndrome due to confirmed or probable COVID-19. Methods: This is a pragmatic, prospective, randomized, stratified, multicenter, open-label, controlled trial including 350 patients with early-onset (less than 48 hours before randomization) moderate or severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, defined by the Berlin criteria, due to COVID-19. Eligible patients will be randomly allocated to either standard treatment plus dexamethasone (Intervention Group) or standard treatment without dexamethasone (Control Group). Patients in the intervention group will receive dexamethasone 20mg intravenous once daily for 5 days, followed by dexamethasone 10mg IV once daily for additional 5 days or until intensive care unit discharge, whichever occurs first. The primary outcome is ventilator-free days within 28 days after randomization, defined as days alive and free from invasive mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes are all-cause mortality rates at day 28, evaluation of the clinical status at day 15 assessed with a 6-level ordinal scale, mechanical ventilation duration from randomization to day 28, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score evaluation at 48 hours, 72 hours and 7 days and intensive care unit -free days within 28.

In December 2019, a series of patients with severe pneumonia were identified in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, who progressed to severe acute respiratory syndrome and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Subsequently, COVID-19 was attributed to a new betacoronavirus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Approximately 20% of patients diagnosed as COVID-19 develop severe forms of the disease, including acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, severe acute respiratory syndrome, acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute renal failure and require intensive care. There is no randomized controlled clinical trial addressing potential therapies for patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection at the time of publishing these treatment recommendations. Therefore, these recommendations are based predominantly on the opinion of experts (level C of recommendation). RESUMO Em dezembro de 2019, uma série de pacientes com pneumonia grave foi identificada em Wuhan, província de Hubei, na China. Esses pacientes evoluíram para síndrome respiratória aguda grave e síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo. Posteriormente, a COVID-19 foi atribuída a um novo betacoronavírus, o coronavírus da síndrome respiratória aguda grave 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Cerca de 20% dos pacientes com diagnóstico de COVID-19 desenvolvem formas graves da doença, incluindo insuficiência respiratória aguda hipoxêmica, síndrome respiratória aguda grave, síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo e insuficiência renal aguda e requerem admissão em unidade de terapia intensiva. Não há nenhum ensaio clínico randomizado controlado que avalie potenciais tratamentos para pacientes com infecção confirmada pela COVID-19 no momento da publicação destas recomendações de tratamento. Dessa forma, essas recomendações são baseadas predominantemente na opinião de especialistas (grau de recomendação de nível C).

Resumo Frente à pandemia da doença causada pelo novo coronavírus (COVID-19), o manejo do paciente com fator de risco e/ou doença cardiovascular é desafiador nos dias de hoje. As complicações cardiovasculares evidenciadas nos pacientes com COVID-19 resultam de vários mecanismos, que vão desde lesão direta pelo vírus até complicações secundárias à resposta inflamatória e trombótica desencadeada pela infecção. O cuidado adequado do paciente com COVID-19 exige atenção ao sistema cardiovascular em busca de melhores desfechos. Abstract In face of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the management of patients with cardiovascular risk factors and/or disease is challenging. The cardiovascular complications evidenced in patients with COVID-19 derive from several mechanisms, ranging from direct viral injury to complications secondary to the inflammatory and thrombotic responses to the infection. The proper care of patients with COVID-19 requires special attention to the cardiovascular system aimed at better outcomes.

Little is still known about the clinical features associated with the occurrence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in hospitalized patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of pre-admission antithrombotic therapies in patients with COVID-19 and to investigate the potential association between antithrombotic therapy and ARDS, as disease clinical presentation, or in-hospital mortality. We enrolled 192 consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to emergency department of five Italian hospitals. The study population was divided in two groups according to the evidence of ARDS at chest computed tomography at admission. Propensity score weighting adjusted regression analysis was performed to assess the risk ARDS at admission, and death during hospitalization, in patients treated or not with antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents. ARDS was reported in 73 cases (38 %), who showed more likely hypertension compared to those without ARDS (57.8 % vs 49.6 %; P = 0.005). Thirty-five patients (18.5 %) died during the hospitalization. Not survived COVID-19 patients showed a statistically significant increased age (77 ± 8.31 vs 65.57 ± 8.31; P = 0.001), hypertension (77.1 % vs 53.5 %; P = 0.018) and coronary artery disease prevalence (28.6 % vs 10.2 %; P = 0.009). Both unadjusted and adjusted regression analyses showed no difference in the risk of ARDS at admission, or death during hospitalization, between patients treated or not with antiplatelets or anticoagulants. Pre-admission antithrombotic therapy, both antiplatelet and anticoagulant, does not seem to show a protective effect in severe forms of COVID-19 with ARDS at presentation and rapidly evolving toward death.

In face of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the management of patients with cardiovascular risk factors and/or disease is challenging. The cardiovascular complications evidenced in patients with COVID-19 derive from several mechanisms, ranging from direct viral injury to complications secondary to the inflammatory and thrombotic responses to the infection. The proper care of patients with COVID-19 requires special attention to the cardiovascular system aimed at better outcomes.Frente à pandemia da doença causada pelo novo coronavírus (COVID-19), o manejo do paciente com fator de risco e/ou doença cardiovascular é desafiador nos dias de hoje. As complicações cardiovasculares evidenciadas nos pacientes com COVID-19 resultam de vários mecanismos, que vão desde lesão direta pelo vírus até complicações secundárias à resposta inflamatória e trombótica desencadeada pela infecção. O cuidado adequado do paciente com COVID-19 exige atenção ao sistema cardiovascular em busca de melhores desfechos.

SUMMARY The emergence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic shows a rapid increase in cases and deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has shown that more than 200.000 confirmed cases have been identified in more than 166 countries/territories. Public health authorities in Brasil have reported 532 confirmed cases by March 19. Approximately 5% of the patients will require intensive care unit treatment with oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation. Limited data are available about rehabilitation protocols for severe illness and intensive care treatment of COVID-19 increase. Thus, we aim to show current information about COVID-19, describing symptoms and the respiratory management for critical patients and preventive care. Physical therapists and all health care professionals need to recognize the challenges they will face in the coming months.