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Introduction Headache is a frequent cause of consultation; it is important to detect patients with secondary headache, particularly high-risk secondary headache. Such systems as the Manchester Triage System (MTS) are used for this purpose. This study aims to evaluate the frequency of sub-triage in patients attending the Emergency Department due to headache. Material and methods We studied a series of consecutive patients who came to the Emergency Department with headache and presenting some warning sign, defined as the presence of signs leading the physician to request an emergency neuroimaging study and/or assessment by the on-call neurologist. The reference diagnosis was established by neurologists. We evaluated the MTS triage level assigned and the presence of warning signs that may imply a higher level than that assigned. Results We registered a total of 1,120 emergency department visits due to headache, and 248 patients (22.8%) were eligible for study inclusion. Secondary headache was diagnosed in 126 cases (50.8% of the sample; 11.2% of the total), with 60 cases presenting high-risk secondary headache (24.2%; 5.4%). According to the MTS, two patients were classified as immediate (0.8%), 26 as very urgent (10.5%), 147 as urgent (59.3%), 68 as normal (27.4%), and five as not urgent (2%). The percentage of patients under-triaged was 85.1% in the very urgent classification level and 23.3% in the urgent level. Conclusion During the study period, at least one in 10 patients attending the Emergency Department due to headache had secondary headache; one in 20 had high-risk secondary headache. The MTS under-triaged most patients with warning signs suggesting a potential emergency.

Herpes zoster infection (HZ) is an important public health problem due to its high incidence and frequent complications, especially post-herpetic neuropathy . The incidence of HZ increases with age and is more frequent in immunocompromised patients. It is estimated that at least 60,000 people develop HZ each year in Spain. The usual forms of HZ are so clinically characteristic that they do not usually require microbiological confirmation, which is reserved for cases without cutaneous manifestations or with atypical presentation. There are currently two vaccines approved by the regulatory agencies and marketed in Spain to prevent the onset of HZ and its complications. The first (Zostavax®) was marketed by the company MSD and licensed in Europe in 2006 and is a live attenuated virus vaccine that is administered in a single dose, while the second (Shingrix®) is a recombinant vaccine, marketed in 2017 and requires two doses. While the former cannot be administered to immunocompromised persons, the latter can be prescribed to any group of adults. The criteria for the indication and financing of these vaccines have not been uniform in the various autonomous communities of Spain. These and other aspects of HZ have been discussed by a group of experts from the Illustrious Official College of Physicians of Madrid (ICOMEM) whose criteria and opinions are included in this paper.

Predictions for a near end of the pandemic by the World Health Organization should be interpreted with caution. Current evidence indicates that the efficacy of a fourth dose of classical mRNA vaccines (BT162b2 or mRNA-1273) is low and short-lived in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in its predominant variant (Omicron). However, its efficacy is high against severe symptomatic infection, hospitalization and death. The new vaccines being introduced are bivalent and active against the Omicron variants. Potential new vaccines to be introduced in the coming year include a vaccine based on a recombinant protein that emulates the receptor binding domain of the Spike protein under development by the Spanish company Hipra, as well as vaccines for nasal or oral administration. Available information suggests that vaccines against COVID-19 can be administered in association with influenza vaccination without particular complications. New drugs against COVID-19, both antiviral and anti-inflammatory, are under investigation, but this does not seem to be the case with monoclonal antibodies. The indication to use masks in some circumstances will be maintained next year in view of the accumulation of scientific data on their efficacy. Finally, the long COVID or Post-COVID syndrome may continue to affect a very high proportion of patients who have had the disease, requiring combined diagnostic and therapeutic resources.

Heart failure (HF) is prevalent in advanced ages. Our objective was to assess the impact of frailty on 1-year mortality in older patients with ambulatory HF.Our data come from the FRAGIC study (Spanish acronym for "Study of the impact of frailty and other geriatric syndromes on the clinical management and prognosis of elderly outpatients with heart failure"), a multicenter prospective registry conducted in 16 Spanish hospitals including outpatients ≥ 75 years with HF followed up by cardiology services in Spain.We included 499 patients with a mean age of 81.4±4.3 years, of whom 193 (38%) were women. A total of 268 (54%) had left ventricular ejection fraction40%, and 84.6% was in NYHA II functional class. The FRAIL scale identified 244 (49%) pre-frail and 111 (22%) frail patients. Frail patients were significantly older, were more frequently female (both, P.001), and had higher comorbidity according to the Charlson index (P=.017) and a higher prevalence of geriatric syndromes (P.001). During a median follow-up of 371 [361-387] days, 58 patients (11.6%) died. On multivariate analysis (Cox regression model), frailty detected with the FRAIL scale was marginally associated with mortality (HR=2.35; 95%CI, 0.96-5.71; P=.059), while frailty identified by the visual mobility scale was an independent predictor of mortality (HR=2.26; 95%CI, 1.16-4.38; P=.015); this association was maintained after adjustment for confounding variables (HR=2.13; 95%CI, 1.08-4.20; P=.02).In elderly outpatients with HF, frailty is independently associated with mortality at 1 year of follow-up. It is essential to identify frailty as part of the comprehensive approach to elderly patients with HF.

Aim To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the SNNOOP10 list in the detection of high-risk headaches. Methods Patients that visited the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (Madrid) emergency department due to headache that were allocated to a Manchester Triage System level between critical and urgent were prospectively included but retrospectively analysed. A researcher blind to the patients’ diagnosis administered a standardised questionnaire and afterwards a neurologist blind to the questionnaire results diagnosed the patient according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders. The primary endpoint was to assess the sensitivity of the SNNOOP10 list in the detection of high-risk headaches. Secondary endpoints included the evaluation of the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under the curve of each SNNOOP10 item. Results Between April 2015 and October 2021, 100 patients were included. Patients were 44 years old (inter-quartile range: 33.6–64.7) and 57% were female. We identified 37 different diagnoses. Final diagnosis was a primary headache in 33%, secondary headache in 65% and cranial neuralgia in 2%. There were 46 patients that were considered as having high-risk headache. Patients from the primary headache group were younger and more frequently female. Sensitivity of SNNOOP10 list was 100% (95% confidence interval: 90.2%–100%). The items with higher sensitivity were neurologic deficit or disfunction (75.5%), pattern change or recent onset of the headache (64.4%), onset after 50 years (64.4%). The most specific items were posttraumatic onset of headache (94.5%), neoplasm in history (89.1%) and systemic symptoms (89%). The area under the curve of the SNNOOP10 list was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.55–0.76). Conclusion The red flags from the SNNOOP10 list showed a 100% sensitivity in the detection of high-risk headache disorders.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a disorder related to patient comorbidities and aging. Whether mitochondrial dysfunction is present during HFpEF decompensation versus the stable phase is largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to identify mitochondrial and cell metabolism blood biomarkers in older patients with acute and stable HFpEF.Peripheral blood biomarkers were investigated in a group of eight to 12 patients aged 80-96 years and diagnosed with HFpEF first when they were in decompensated phase and then at least three months later in stable phase. Their data were compared to two control groups with an equal number of participants and sex proportions. One group was age matched and the other included individuals aged between 22 and 44 years.Decompensated patients experienced an increased mitochondrial superoxide production and mitochondrial mass, lower mitochondrial DNA copy number and LDHB expression, and higher lactate level compared to the stable stage. The stable phase was characterized by a sharp reduction in formate level. Multivariate analysis indicated that formate, lactate, and histidine can distinguish both of the HFpEF phases. Many of these parameters, including LDHB, lactate, formate, and mitochondrial mass, followed an age-related pattern, with acute HFpEF at its apex or nadir, suggesting that it represents an exacerbation of an aging-related process.We identified distinct blood biomarkers of chronic and decompensated HFpEF phases. The data underlined the relationship between HFpEF and aging. These findings could be used to monitor patients and might be therapeutically targeted.

ObjectiveTo estimate incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics and outcomes of acute (myo)pericarditis (AMP) in patients with COVID-19.MethodsCase-control, retrospective review, consecutive case inclusion performed in 62 Spanish EDs. All COVID-19 patients with AMP (cases) were compared in clinical characteristics and outcomes with COVID-19 without AMP (control group A) and non-COVID patients with AMP (control group B). We estimated unadjusted standardised incidence (SI, not adjusted by population’s age/sex) of AMP in COVID-19 and non-COVID populations (per 100 000/year).ResultsWe identified 67 AMP in COVID-19 patients (SI=56.5, OR with respect to non-COVID patients=4.43, 95% CI=3.98 to 4.94). Remarkably, COVID-19 cases presented with chest pain less frequently than non-COVID patients and had less typical ECG changes, higher NT-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide), more left and right ventricular dysfunction in echocardiography and more need of inotropic/vasopressor drugs. Admission to intensive care was higher than control group A (OR=3.22, 95% CI=1.43 to 7.23), and in-hospital mortality was higher than control group B (OR=7.75, 95% CI=2.77 to 21.7).ConclusionAMP is unusual as a form of COVID-19 presentation (about 1‰ cases), but SI is more than fourfold higher than non-COVID population, and it is less symptomatic, more severe and has higher in-hospital mortality; therefore, rapid recognition, echocardiographic assessment of myopericardial inflammation/dysfunction and treatment with vasoactive drugs when needed are recommended in AMP in patients with COVID-19.

A progressively increasing percentage of the elderly live during the last years of their lives in nursing homes. Although these institutions are intended to mimic life at home as much as possible, they have characteristics that make them quite similar to a “nosocomiun”, i.e. an establishment for the treatment of the sick. The very coexistence among the elderly, the fact of sharing caregivers and the very significant exposure to third parties, together with the frequent predisposing diseases to infection in this population, make infection frequent among residents and also easily transmissible. This leads us to ask what can be done to prevent infection in this environment and more specifically what is the state of the art of the matter in a Western European nation such as ours. The Board of Trustees of the Health Sciences Foundation has asked itself a series of questions on the subject of infection prevention in Nursing Homes, the structure of procedures, the legislation available, compliance with the measures indicated, the best indicators of the processes and therefore, the need to promote in Spain a document of recommendations to avoid infections in this poplation whose morbidity and mortality need not be highlighted. To this end, a multidisciplinary group of experts in different aspects of this problem has been convened and asked the proposed questions. The questions were discussed by the group as a whole and led to a series of conclusions agreed upon by the participants. The results of the meeting are reported below.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos Investigar si diferentes caracteristicas estructurales/organizativas del hospital y del servicio de urgencias (SU) impactan en los resultados de la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA). Metodos Analisis secundario del Registro EAHFE. Se recogieron 6 caracteristicas hospitalarias y del SU, y se relacionaron con 7 resultados tras el evento indice y tras el alta, ajustados por ano de inclusion, caracteristicas basales y del episodio de ICA y por dichas caracteristicas estructurales/organizativas. Tambien se relaciono el porcentaje de altas directas desde urgencias (ADU) y resultados, y si habia interaccion segun las caracteristicas hospitalarias o del SU. Resultados Cuarenta SU espanoles incluyeron 17.974 episodios de ICA. Hubo menos estancias prolongadas en hospitales de alta tecnologia, con hospitalizacion a domicilio y con SU con alta frecuentacion, y mas estancias prolongadas en hospitales con unidad de insuficiencia cardiaca y area de observacion en urgencias. Los hospitales de alta tecnologia presentaron menor mortalidad hospitalaria (OR = 0,78; IC95%, 0,65-0,94). Respecto a eventos 30 dias tras el alta, los hospitales con unidad de corta estancia (UCE) tuvieron mas hospitalizaciones (OR = 1,19; IC95%, 1,02-1,38); los SU con alta afluencia, menor mortalidad (OR = 0,73; IC95%, 0,56-0,96) y eventos combinados (OR = 0,87; IC95%, 0,76-0,99), y los hospitales con unidad de insuficiencia cardiaca, menos reconsultas a urgencias (OR = 0,83; IC95%, 0,76-0,91), hospitalizaciones (OR = 0,85; IC95%, 0,75-0,97) y eventos combinados (OR = 0,84; IC95%, 0,77-0,92). A mas ADU, menos estancias prolongadas. Entre otras interacciones, el incremento de ADU se asocio con mas reconsultas, hospitalizaciones y eventos combinados a los 30 dias del alta en hospitales sin UCE, pero no en hospitales con UCE. Conclusiones Las caracteristicas estructurales/organizativas de hospitales y SU y la agresividad en el tratamiento en urgencias influyen significativamente en los resultados en la ICA.

The 2020 guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommend a novel ESC 0/2h-algorithm as the preferred alternative to the ESC 0/1h-algorithm in the early triage for rule-out and/or rule-in of Non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The aim was to prospectively validate the performance of the ESC 0/2h-algorithm using the high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) assay (ARCHITECT) in an international, multicenter diagnostic study enrolling patients presenting with acute chest discomfort to the emergency department.

Background We aimed to derive and validate a 0/2 h-algorithm using the new high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI)-VITROS assay (VITROS® Immunodiagnostic Products hs-Troponin I Reagent Pack, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics) for rapid rule-out/in of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods The final diagnosis was centrally adjudicated by 2 independent cardiologists according to the fourth universal definition of myocardial infarction (MI) among 1888 patients presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain. hs-cTnI-VITROS concentrations were measured at presentation and at 2 h in a blinded fashion. The optimal assay-specific thresholds for the hs-cTnI-VITROS 0/2 h-algorithm were derived in a randomly selected 70% of the cohort and validated in the remaining 30%. Results NSTEMI was the final diagnosis in 216/1322 (16.3%) patients of the derivation cohort. Rule-out was defined as baseline hs-cTnI concentrations of 3 h or a baseline hs-cTnI concentration of Conclusion hs-cTnI-VITROS concentrations at presentation combined with absolute changes within the first 2 h allowed safe rule-out and accurate rule-in of NSTEMI in two-thirds of unselected patients presenting with acute chest pain to the emergency department. Trial registration www.clinicaltrials.gov: NCT0047058

Introduction and objectives Intravenous iron is recommended to correct iron deficiency in heart failure (HF) patients, although not all patients had the same response. We evaluated the impact of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in analytical and clinical improvement and analyzed the response according to different parameters. Methods We included HF patients who received FCM in the daily hospital to correct iron deficiency. We recorded clinical and analytical parameters at baseline and 3 months follow-up. Results We included 236 patients (age 73.5 ± 10.7 years) with left ventricular ejection fraction 44.5 ± 15.3%. There were no adverse effects during the infusion. All ferric analytical parameters significantly increased at 3 months. 25.1% of patients improved functional class, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) III patients were more likely to improve. Mean corpuscular volume predicted NYHA improvement (OR, 0.97; 95%CI, 0.93–1.00; P = .05). Body mass index (OR, 0.86; 95%CI, 0.78–0.95; P = .002) and ferritin (OR, 1.00; 95%CI, 1.00–1.01; P = .042) were also predictors of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide reduction of at least 30% from basal levels. 61.3% received lower doses of FCM than the theoretical ones, and those with the correct dose were more likely to improve NYHA and reduce natriuretic peptides. Conclusions FCM was useful to correct iron deficiency in clinical practice, independently to anemia, without relevant adverse effects. Clinical improvement was especially relevant in more symptomatic patients and those with absolute deficiency. Mean corpuscular volume, body mass index, ferritin, and dose of FCM were predictors of clinical improvement.

Design a risk model to predict bacteraemia in patients attended in emergency departments (ED) for an episode of infection. This was a national, prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study of blood cultures (BC) collected from adult patients (≥ 18 years) attended in 71 Spanish EDs from October 1 2019 to March 31, 2020. Variables with a p value

To define quality of care indicators and care process standards for treating patients with COVID-19 in hospital emergency departments (EDs), to determine the level of adherence to standards during the first wave in 2020, and to detect factors associated with different levels of adherence.We selected care indicators and standards by applying the Delphi method. We then analyzed the level of adherence in the SIESTA cohort (registered by the Spanish Investigators in Emergency Situations Team). This cohort was comprised of patients with COVID-19 treated in 62 Spanish hospitals in March and April 2020. Adherence was compared according to pandemic-related ED caseload pressure, time periods during the wave (earlier and later), and age groups.Fourteen quality indicators were identified. Three were adhered to in less than 50% of the patients. Polymerase chain reaction testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection was the indicator most often disregarded, in 29% of patients when the caseload was high vs 40% at other times (P .001) and in 30% of patients in the later period vs 37% in the earlier period (P = .04). Adherence to the following indicators was better in the later part of the wave: monitoring of oxygen saturation (100% vs 99%, P = .035), electrocardiogram monitoring in patients treated with hydroxychloroquine (87% vs 65%, P .001), and avoiding of lopinavir/ritonavir treatment in patients with diarrhea (79% vs 53%, P .001). No differences related to age groups were found.Adherence to certain quality indicators deteriorated during ED treatment of patients with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic. Pressure from high caseloads may have exacerbated this deterioration. A learning effect led to improvement. No differences related to patient age were detected.Definir indicadores de calidad y sus estándares para el proceso asistencial del paciente con COVID-19 en servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH), así como determinar su grado de cumplimiento durante el primer pico pandémico e investigar si existieron diferencias en relación con diferentes factores.Siguiendo la metodología del Delphi, los autores seleccionaron los indicadores y sus estándares. Posteriormente, se analizó el grado de cumplimiento en la cohorte SIESTA, formada por pacientes COVID-19 de 62 SUH españoles atendidos en marzo y abril de 2020. Se comparó el cumplimiento de los indicadores según la presión asistencial generada por la pandemia en el SUH, el periodo asistencial y el grupo etario.Se definieron 14 indicadores. Tres de ellos se cumplieron en 50% de los pacientes. La realización de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) para el SARS-CoV-2 tuvo peor cumplimiento en SUH con alta presión (29% frente a 40%, p 0,001) y durante el periodo tardío (30% frente a 37%, p = 0,04). Durante el periodo tardío, mejoró la medida de saturación de oxígeno (100% frente a 99%, p = 0,035), la realización de electrocardiograma en pacientes tratados con hidroxicloroquina (87% frente a 65%, p 0,001) y la no administración de lopinavir-ritonavir en pacientes con diarrea (79% frente a 53%, p 0,001). No hubo diferencias en relación con el grupo etario.Durante el primer pico pandémico, diversos aspectos de la calidad de la atención a pacientes COVID-19 en los SUH españoles se vieron deteriorados. La presión asistencial pudo incrementar este deterioro. Hubo un efecto de aprendizaje que condicionó una mejora, pero no se observaron diferencias según la edad de los pacientes.

To analyze whether short-term outcomes are affected when patients diagnosed with acute heart failure (AHF) spend time in an emergency department observation unit (EDOU) before hospital admission.Baseline and emergency episode data were collected for patients diagnosed with AHF in the EDs of 15 Spanish hospitals. We analyzed crude and adjusted associations between EDOU stay and 30-day mortality (primary outcome) and in-hospital mortality and a prolonged hospital stay of more than 7 days (secondary outcomes).A total of 6597 patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 83 (76-88 years) were studied. Fifty-five percent were women. All were hospitalized for AHF (50% in internal medicine wards, 23% in cardiology, 11% in geriatrics, and 16 in other specialties. Of these patients, 3241 (49%) had had EDOU stays and 3350 (51%) had been admitted immediately, with no EDOU stay. Having an EDOU stay was associated with female sex, dementia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, long-term treatment with certain drugs for heart failure, greater baseline deterioration in function, and a higher degree of decompensation. Patients in the EDOU group were more often admitted to an internal medicine ward and had shorter stays; cardiology, geriatric, and intensive care admissions were less likely to have had an EDOU stay. Overall, 30-day mortality was 12.6% (13.7% in the EDOU group and 11.4% in the no-EDOU group; P = .004). In-hospital mortality was 10.4% overall (EDOU, 11.1% and no-EDOU, 9.6%; P = .044). Prolonged hospitalization occurred in 50.0% (EDOU, 48.7% and no-EDOU, 51.2%; P = .046). After adjusting for between-group differences, the EDOU stay was not associated with 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.99-1.31). Odds ratios for associations between EDOU stay and in-hospital mortality and prolonged hospital stay, respectively, were 1.09 (95% CI, 0.92-1.29) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.82-1.01).Although mortality higher in patients hospitalized for AHF who spend time in an EDO, the association seems to be accounted for by their worse baseline situation and the greater seriousness of the decompensation episode, not by time spent in the EDOU.Analizar si la estancia en el área de observación de urgencias (AOU) de pacientes que han sido diagnosticados de insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) y que deben ingresar está asociada con algún cambio en la evolución a corto plazo.Se recogieron datos basales y clínicos de pacientes diagnosticados de ICA en el servicio de urgencias de 15 hospitales españoles. Se analizó la asociación cruda y ajustada de la estancia en el AOU previa a la hospitalización con mortalidad a 30 días (objetivo primario) y con mortalidad intrahospitalaria e ingreso prolongado (7 días) (objetivos secundarios).Se incluyeron 6.597 pacientes (mediana = 83 años, RIC = 76-88; mujeres = 55%) hospitalizados por ICA (50% en medicina interna, 23% en cardiología, 11% en geriatría y 16% en otros servicios); de ellos, 3.241 (49%) permanecieron en observación en urgencias (grupo AOU) y 3.350 (51%) hospitalizaron sin observación previa (grupo no-AOU). La observación en urgencias se asoció con ser mujer, tener demencia o enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, recibir crónicamente fármacos específicos para insuficiencia cardiaca, mayor deterioro funcional basal y mayor gravedad de la descompensación. El grupo AOU más frecuentemente hospitalizó en medicina interna y corta estancia, y menos frecuentemente en cardiología, geriatría y cuidados intensivos. La mortalidad a 30 días fue del 12,6% (AOU = 13,7%, no-AOU = 11,4%, p = 0,004); la mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue del 10,4% (AOU = 11,1%, no-AOU = 9,6%, p = 0,044) y el ingreso prolongado del 50,0% (AOU = 48,7%, no-AOU = 51,2%, p = 0,046). Tras ajustar por las diferencias entre grupos, la estancia en observación en urgencias no se asoció con mortalidad a 30 días (HR = 1,14, IC 95% = 0,99-1,31), mortalidad intrahospitalaria (OR = 1,09, IC 95% = 0,92-1,29) o estancia prolongada (OR = 0,91, IC 95% = 0,82-1,01).Aunque los pacientes hospitalizados por ICA que permanecen en observación en urgencias presentan mayor mortalidad, esta asociación parece explicarse por su peor situación de base y la mayor gravedad del episodio de descompensación y no por su paso por el AOU.

The difficulties involved in performing autopsies of patients who had died due to COVID-19 required the use of alternative methods in order to obtain tissue samples of affected organs. We describe the technique of core needle aspiration, without ultrasonographic guidance, which we used in 19 cadavers and which produced a high yield in lungs, heart (>94%) and liver (>89%), thus enabling the study of the morphological changes produced by SARS-CoV-2.

Aims To directly compare the diagnostic accuracy of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) T vs. hs-cTnI in the early non-invasive differentiation of Type 1 myocardial infarction (T1MI) due to plaque rupture and atherothrombosis from Type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) due to supply–demand mismatch. Methods and results In a prospective multicentre diagnostic study, two independent cardiologists centrally adjudicated the final diagnosis of T1MI vs. T2MI according to the fourth universal definition of myocardial infarction (MI), using all available clinical information including cardiac imaging in patients presenting with acute chest pain. Diagnostic accuracy was quantified by the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC). The most extensively validated hs-cTnT-Elecsys and hs-cTnI-Architect assays were measured at presentation, 1 h, and 2 h. Among 5887 patients, 1106 (19%) had a final diagnosis of MI, including 860 (78%) T1MI and 246 (22%) T2MI. The AUC of hs-cTnT-Elecsys to differentiate T1MI from T2MI was moderate and comparable to that provided by hs-cTnI-Architect: hs-cTnT-Elecsys AUC-presentation 0.67 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64–0.71], AUC-1 h 0.70 (95% CI 0.66–0.74), and AUC-2 h 0.71 (95% CI 0.66–0.75) vs. hs-cTnI-Architect AUC-presentation 0.71 (95% CI 0.67–0.74), AUC-1 h 0.72 (95% CI 0.68–0.76), and AUC-2 h 0.74 (95% CI 0.69–0.78), all P = not significant (NS). Similarly, the AUC of absolute changes was moderate and comparable for hs-cTnT-Elecsys and hs-cTnI-Architect (all P = NS). Cut-off concentrations achieving at least 90% specificity for the differentiation of T1MI vs. T2MI were >114 ng/L for hs-cTnT-Elecsys [odds ratio (OR) 4.2, 95% CI 2.7–6.6] and >371 ng/L for hs-cTnI-Architect (OR 4.0, 95% CI 2.6–6.2). Conclusion hs-cTnT-Elecsys and hs-cTnI-Architect provided comparable, albeit only moderate, diagnostic accuracy for the early differentiation of T1MI vs. T2MI. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00470587, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00470587.

Aims We investigated the incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with COVID-19 attending emergency departments (EDs), before hospitalization. Methods and Results We retrospectively reviewed all COVID-19 patients diagnosed with PE in 62 Spanish EDs (20% of Spanish EDs, case group) during the first COVID-19 outbreak. COVID-19 patients without PE and non-COVID-19 patients with PE were included as control groups. Adjusted comparisons for baseline characteristics, acute episode characteristics, and outcomes were made between cases and randomly selected controls (1:1 ratio). We identified 368 PE in 74 814 patients with COVID-19 attending EDs (4.92‰). The standardized incidence of PE in the COVID-19 population resulted in 310 per 100 000 person-years, significantly higher than that observed in the non-COVID-19 population [35 per 100 000 person-years; odds ratio (OR) 8.95 for PE in the COVID-19 population, 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.51–9.41]. Several characteristics in COVID-19 patients were independently associated with PE, the strongest being D-dimer >1000 ng/mL, and chest pain (direct association) and chronic heart failure (inverse association). COVID-19 patients with PE differed from non-COVID-19 patients with PE in 16 characteristics, most directly related to COVID-19 infection; remarkably, D-dimer >1000 ng/mL, leg swelling/pain, and PE risk factors were significantly less present. PE in COVID-19 patients affected smaller pulmonary arteries than in non-COVID-19 patients, although right ventricular dysfunction was similar in both groups. In-hospital mortality in cases (16.0%) was similar to COVID-19 patients without PE (16.6%; OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.65–1.42; and 11.4% in a subgroup of COVID-19 patients with PE ruled out by scanner, OR 1.48, 95% CI 0.97–2.27), but higher than in non-COVID-19 patients with PE (6.5%; OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.66–4.51). Adjustment for differences in baseline and acute episode characteristics and sensitivity analysis reported very similar associations. Conclusions PE in COVID-19 patients at ED presentation is unusual (about 0.5%), but incidence is approximately ninefold higher than in the general (non-COVID-19) population. Moreover, risk factors and leg symptoms are less frequent, D-dimer increase is lower and emboli involve smaller pulmonary arteries. While PE probably does not increase the mortality of COVID-19 patients, mortality is higher in COVID-19 than in non-COVID-19 patients with PE.

Introduction and objectives: Release kinetics of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) T and I in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are incompletely understood. We aimed to assess whether hs-cTnT/I release in early AMI is near linear. Methods: In a prospective diagnostic multicenter study the acute release of hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI within 1 and 2 hours from presentation to the emergency department was quantified using 3 hs-cTnT/I assays in patients with suspected AMI. The primary endpoint was correlation between hs-cTn changes from presentation to 1 hour vs changes from presentation to 2 hours, among all AMI patients and different prespecified subgroups. The final diagnosis was adjudicated by 2 independent cardiologists, based on serial hs-cTnT from the serial study blood samples and additional locally measured hs-cTn values. Results: Among 2437 patients with complete hs-cTnT data, AMI was the adjudicated diagnosis in 376 patients (15%). For hs-cTnT, the correlation coefficient between 0- to 1-hour change and 0- to 2 hour change was 0.931 (95%CI, 0.916-0.944), P

Purpose Thrombotic events (TE) represent one of the major complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The objective is to evaluate vessel density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in COVID-19 patients, and compare the findings with healthy controls. The secondary objective is to evaluate if there are differences in OCTA parameters between COVID-19 patients with and without associated TE. Methods Cross-sectional case–control study that included patients with laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 with and without TE related to the infection and age-matched healthy controls. Ophthalmological examination and OCTA were performed 12 weeks after diagnosis. Demographic data and medical history were collected. Macular OCTA parameters in the superficial retinal plexus were analyzed according to ETDRS sectors. Results Ninety patients were included, 19 (20%) COVID-19 patients with associated TE, 47 (49.5%) COVID-19 patients without TE, and 29 (30.5%) healthy controls. Fifty-three (55.7%) were male, mean age 54.4 (SD 10.2) years. COVID-19 patients presented significantly lower VD than healthy controls: central (p = 0.003), inner ring (p = 0.026), outer ring (p = 0.001). PD was also significantly decreased: outer ring (p = 0.003), full area (p = 0.001). No differences in OCTA parameters were found between COVID-19 patients with and without TE. Conclusions OCTA represents a promising tool for the in vivo assessment of microvascular changes in COVID-19. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection show lower VD and PD compared to healthy controls. However, no differences were found between COVID-19 when considering TE. Prospective studies are required to further evaluate the retinal microvascular involvement of SARS-CoV-2 and its impact on the vasculature of other organs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00417-021-05186-0.

• Several cardiovascular/hemostatic disturbances haves been reported in patients with COVID-19, but the real frequency and their potential association with the pathogenic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-19 still remain to be defined. • We investigated the relative frequency of acute coronary syndrome, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke and upper gastrointestinal bleeding in COVID patents attending emergency departments (EDs), before hospitalization and compared them with frequencies in the general ED population attending 50 Spanish EDs. • We found that the risk of pulmonary embolism is clearly increased in COVID patients, with an OR of 4.53 with respect to non-COVID patients (95% confidence interval 4.03- 5.10). Additionally, the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was 2 fold more frequent among ED comers in 2020 compared to 2019, suggesting a SARS-CoV-2 role in such increment of cases.. The remaining entities studied were not found to be unequivocally increased in the present study and need further investigation.

Background Combining high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) with estimated glomerular filtration rate and glucose within the Clinical Chemistry Score (CCS) could help in the assessment of patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods In patients presenting with suspected AMI to the emergency department, we aimed to externally validate the performance of the CCS in a prospective international multicenter study and to directly compare the diagnostic and prognostic performance of the CCS with hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI baseline levels alone using a single cut-off approach. The diagnostic endpoint was diagnostic accuracy for AMI as centrally adjudicated by two independent cardiologists including cardiac imaging and serial hs-cTnT/I measurements. The prognostic endpoint was 30-day AMI or death. Results AMI was the final diagnosis in 620/3827 patients (16.2%) adjudicated with hs-cTnT and 599 patients (15.7%) adjudicated with hs-cTnI. The CCS resulted in high diagnostic accuracy for AMI and prognostic accuracy for 30-days AMI/death as quantified by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), using hs-cTnT 0.90 (95%CI 0.89–0.91) and 0.89 (95%CI 0.88–0.90), using hs-cTnI 0.91 (95%Cl 0.90–0.92) and 0.90 (95%CI 0.89–0.91) respectively. E.g. a CCS of 0 points resulted in a sensitivity of 99.8% (95%CI 99.1–100%) for rule-out of index AMI and 99.5% (95%CI 98.5–100%) for AMI/death at 30 days for hs-cTnT and 99.8% (95%CI 98.9–100%) and 99.6% (95%CI 98.6–100%) using hs-cTnI. Overall, the single hs-cTnT/I measurement approach provided comparable diagnostic (sensitivity 99.5–99.7%) and prognostic (sensitivity 98.9–99.5%) performance versus the CCS. Interpretation The CCS provided high diagnostic and prognostic performance also in this independent large validation cohort. A single hs-cTnT/I measurement approach for rule-out MI yielded similar estimates.

Precis Vascular diseases have been linked to alterations in optic nerve head perfusion. Purpose The main objective was to investigate the changes in peripapillary vessel density (VD) in post coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients. Methods In this prospective pilot exploratory study, patients with COVID-19 that were attended in the Emergency Department of Hospital Clinico San Carlos (Madrid) were included. All patients underwent optic nerve head optical coherence tomography angiography using the Cirrus HD-OCT 500 with AngioPlex OCTA (Zeiss, Dublin, CA) 4 and 12 weeks after diagnosis by positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction test from nasopharyngeal swab at the Emergency Department. Sociodemographic data, medical history, disease severity, and laboratory work-up were collected. Results One hundred and eighty eyes of 90 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were included. None of the patients reported visual changes. Severe patients were older, more frequently hispanic, dyslipidemic, and presented lower lymphocytes counts, as well as increased ferritin, D-dimer, fibrinogen, and international normalized ratio levels. No changes in optic nerve head vascularization were observed when both visits were compared. No correlation was found between VD and clinical parameters, disease severity and laboratory work-up. Conclusions Changes to peripapillary VD were not observed in patients with COVID-19 in the early months following diagnosis.

Objective: Experts recommended that direct discharge without hospitalization (DDWH) for emergency departments (EDs) able to observe acute heart failure (AHF) patients should be 40%, and these discharged patients should fulfil the following outcome standards: 30-day all-cause mortality 40%. Considering DDWH patients altogether, outcomes A/C were above the recommended standards (4.3%/29.4%), while outcome B was nearly met (B = 10.1%). When analyzing individual EDs, 58.1% of them achieved the outcome B standard, while outcomes A/C standards were barely achieved (19.3%/9.7%). We observed clinically relevant linear/quadratic relationships between higher DDWH and worse outcomes B (weighted R-2 = 0.184/0.322) and C (weighted R-2 = 0.430/0.624), but not with outcome A (weighted R-2 = 0.002/0.022). Conclusions: The EDs of this nationwide cohort do not fulfil the standards for AHF patients with DDWH. High DDWH rates negatively impact ED revisit or hospitalization but not mortality. This may represent an opportunity for improvement in better selecting patients for early ED discharge and in ensuring early follow-up after ED discharge. (c) 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Japanese College of Cardiology.

Aims After rule-out of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) with the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0/1 h-algorithms, it is unclear which patients require further anatomical or functional cardiac testing. To test the safety and efficacy of the no-objective-testing (NOT)-rules after NSTEMI rule-out by the ESC 0/1 h-algorithms. Methods and results International, prospective, diagnostic multicentre study enrolling adult patients presenting with chest pain to the emergency department. Central adjudication of final diagnosis by two independent cardiologists using information including cardiac imaging. Primary endpoints were the safety and efficacy of the NOT-rules for the rule-out of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Secondary endpoints included 365-day and 2-year MACE. Among 4804 and 4569 patients with available 0/1 h high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn)T-Elecsys or hs-cTnI-Architect concentrations, 2783 (58%) and 2252 (49%) were eligible for application of the NOT-rules after rule-out of NSTEMI by the ESC hs-cTnT/I-0/1h-algorithm. The first rule identified 26% of patients with a sensitivity of 100% (95%CI 98.3–100%) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% (95% CI, n.c.). The second and third rules both identified 31% of patients with a sensitivity of 99.5% (95% CI 97.4–99.9%) and a NPV of 99.9% (95% CI 99.2–99.9%). Similar findings emerged for hs-cTnI. High safety was confirmed for rule-out of 365-day and 2-year MACE and proven to be superior to the HEART Score. Conclusion All three NOT-rules performed very well for rule-out of MACE. The third NOT-rule best balanced feasibility, safety, and efficacy by identifying nearly one out of three patients as low-risk and may not require further cardiac testing. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00470587

Optical nanoresonators are fundamental building blocks in a number of nanotechnology applications (e.g. in spectroscopy) due to their ability to efficiently confine light at the nanoscale. Recently, nanoresonators based on the excitation of phonon polaritons (PhPs) – light coupled to lattice vibrations – in polar crystals (e.g. SiC, or h-BN) have attracted much attention due to their strong field confinement, high quality factors, and potential to enhance the photonic density of states at mid-infrared (IR) frequencies. Here, we go one step further by introducing PhPs nanoresonators that not only exhibit these extraordinary properties but also incorporate a new degree of freedom - twist tuning, i.e. the possibility to be spectrally controlled by a simple rotation. To that end, we both take advantage of the low-loss in-plane hyperbolic propagation of PhPs in the van der Waals crystal α-MoO3, and realize a dielectric engineering of a pristine α-MoO3 slab placed on top of metal ribbon grating, which preserves the high quality of the polaritonic resonances. By simple rotating the α-MoO3 slab in the plane (from 0 to 45º), we demonstrate via far- and near-field measurements that the narrow polaritonic resonances (with quality factors Q up to 200) can be tuned in a broad range (up to 32 cm-1, i.e up to ~ 6 times its full width at half maximum, FWHM ~ 5 cm-1). Our results open the door to the development of tunable low-loss nanotechnologies at IR frequencies with application in sensing, emission or photodetection

7 pags., 4 figs., Negative reflection occurs when light is reflected toward the same side of the normal to the boundary from which it is incident. This exotic optical phenomenon is not only yet to be visualized in real space but also remains unexplored, both at the nanoscale and in natural media. Here, we directly visualize nanoscale-confined polaritons negatively reflecting on subwavelength mirrors fabricated in a low-loss van der Waals crystal. Our near-field nanoimaging results unveil an unconventional and broad tunability of both the polaritonic wavelength and direction of propagation upon negative reflection. On the basis of these findings, we introduce a device in nano-optics: a hyperbolic nanoresonator, in which hyperbolic polaritons with different momenta reflect back to a common point source, enhancing the intensity. These results pave way to realize nanophotonics in low-loss natural media, providing an efficient route to control nanolight, a key for future on-chip optical nanotechnologies., G.Á.-P. and J.T.-G. acknowledge support through the Severo Ochoa Program from the Government of the Principality of Asturias (grant numbers PA-20-PF-BP19-053 and PA-18-PF-BP17-126, respectively). Q.O. acknowledges support from the Australian Research Council (ARC; CE170100039 and DE220100154). This work was performed in part at the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication (MCN) in the Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF). hBN crystal growth was supported by the National Science Foundation award number CMMI 1538127. V.G. acknowledges the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades through the grant MELODIA (PGC2018-095777-B-C21). V.G. thanks the “ENSEMBLE 3–Centre of Excellence for nanophotonics, advanced materials and novel crystal growth-based technologies” project (GA no. MAB/2020/14) carried out within the International Research Agendas program of the Foundation for Polish Science cofinanced by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme Teaming for Excellence (GA no. 857543) for support of this work. R.H. acknowledges financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (national project RTI2018-094830-B-100 and the project MDM-2016-0618 of the María de Maeztu Units of Excellence Program) and the Basque Government (grant no. IT1164-19). J.M.-S. acknowledges financial support from the Ramón y Cajal Program of the Government of Spain and FSE (RYC2018-026196-I) and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation grant number PID2019-110308GA-I00). A.Y.N. acknowledges the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (grants MAT201788358-C3-3-R and PID2020-115221GB-C42) and the Basque Department of Education (grant PIBA-2020-1-0014). P.A.-G. acknowledges support from the European Research Council under starting grant no. 715496, 2DNANOPTICA and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation grant number PID2019-111156GB-I00). Q.B. acknowledges the support from Shenzhen Nanshan District Pilotage Team Program (LHTD20170006).

Infection caused by Monkeypox Virus (MPVX) has small rodents as its natural reservoir and both monkeys and humans are occasional hosts. The causative agent is an Orthopoxvirus (MPVX) that was isolated in monkeys in 1958 and proved capable of passing to humans in 1970. It remained contained in Africa, causing isolated episodes of infection, until 2003 when an outbreak occurred in the United States following importation of animals from that continent. Since then, anecdotal cases have continued to be reported outside Africa, usually very clearly linked to travelers to those countries, but in May 2022, a broad outbreak of this disease has begun, now affecting several continents, with the emergence of human cases of MPVX (H-MPVX) infection mainly among Men that have Sex with Men (MSM). The disease has an incubation time ranging from 5 to 15 days and is characterized by the presence of pustules, fever, malaise and headache. The presence of significant regional lymphadenopathy is a differential feature with episodes of classical smallpox. Proctitis and pharyngitis, with minimal skin lesions, may be another form of presentation. Diagnosis can be confirmed by PCR testing of lesions or by demonstration of MPVX in other body fluids or tissues, although in the appropriate epidemiologic setting the clinical picture is highly suggestive of the disease. Effective drug treatment has been developed as part of programs to protect against potential bioterrorist agents and smallpox vaccinees are known to have high protection against monkeypox. New vaccines are available, but neither the drugs nor the vaccines are yet freely available on the market. The prognosis of the disease appears, at least in adults in developed countries, to be good, with very low mortality figures and much less aggressive behavior than that described in classical smallpox. Isolation measures, essential for the control of the outbreak, have been published by the health authorities.

OBJECTIVE To describe the frequency, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) transferred directly from emergency departments to home hospitalisation (HH) and to compare them with those hospitalised in internal medicine (IM) or short-stay units (SSU). METHOD We included patients with AHF transferred to HH by hospitals that considered this option during the Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Spanish Emergency Departments (EAHFE) 4-5-6 Registries and compared them with patients admitted to IM or SSU in these centres. We compared the adjusted all-cause mortality at 1 year and adverse events 30 days after discharge. RESULTS The study included 1473 patients (HH/IM/SSU: 68/979/384). The HH rate was 4.7% (95% CI, 3.8-6.0%). The patients in HH had few differences compared with those hospitalised in IM and SSUs. The HH mortality was 1.5%, and the HH median stay was 7.5 days (IQR, 4.5-12), similar to that of IM (median stay, 8 days; IQR, 5-13; p=.106) and longer than that of SSU (median stay, 4 days; IQR, 3-7; p

Resumen Objetivo Describir frecuencia, caracteristicas clinicas y evolucion de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) ingresados directamente desde urgencias en hospitalizacion a domicilio (HaD) asi como compararlos con los ingresados en medicina interna (MI) o unidad de corta estancia (UCE). Metodo Se incluyeron los pacientes con ICA ingresados en HaD por parte de los hospitales que contemplaban esta opcion durante los Registros EAHFE 4-5-6 y se compararon con los casos que ingresaron en MI o UCE en estos centros. Se compararon la mortalidad por cualquier causa al ano y los eventos adversos a los 30 dias tras el alta de forma ajustada. Resultados Se incluyeron 1.473 pacientes (HaD/MI/UCE: 68/979/384). La frecuencia de HaD fue del 4,7% (IC95% = 3,8-6,0%). Los pacientes en HaD tuvieron escasas diferencias respecto a los ingresados en MI y UCE. Su mortalidad durante el ingreso fue del 1,5% y la duracion de la estancia mediana fue de 7,5 dias (RIC = 4,5-12), parecida a MI (mediana = 8; RIC = 5-13; p = 0,106) y superior a UCE (mediana = 4; RIC = 3-7; p Conclusiones El ingreso directo desde urgencias en HaD es poco frecuente a pesar de ser una opcion segura en un determinado perfil de pacientes con ICA.

The association between atrial fibrillation, stroke, and interatrial block (IAB) (P-wave duration ≥120 ms) is well recognized, particularly in the case of advanced IAB. We aimed to assess the association of IAB with mild cognitive impairment. Advanced Characterization of Cognitive Impairment in Elderly with Interatrial Block was a case-control multicenter study, conducted in subjects aged ≥70 years in sinus rhythm without significant structural heart disease. Diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment was performed by an expert geriatrician, internist, or neurologist in the presence of changes in cognitive function (Mini Mental State Examination score 20 to 25) without established dementia. A total of 265 subjects were included. Mean age was 79.6 ± 6.3 years and 174 (65.7%) were women; there were 143 cases with mild cognitive impairment and 122 controls with normal cognitive function. Compared with controls, cases had longer P-wave duration (116.2 ± 13.8 ms vs 112.5 ± 13.3 ms, p = 0.028), higher prevalence of IAB (73 [51.0%] vs 38 [31.1%], p = 0.001), higher prevalence of advanced IAB (28 [19.6%] vs 10 [8.2%], p = 0.002), and higher MVP ECG risk score (2.7 ± 1.4 vs 2.2 ± 1.3, p = 0.004). IAB was independently associated with mild cognitive impairment, both for partial (odds ratio 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1 to 3.9) and advanced IAB (odds ratio 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1 to 6.7). In conclusion, in subjects aged ≥70 years without significant structural heart disease, IAB is independently associated with mild cognitive impairment. This association is stronger in the case of advanced IAB. “Proyecto de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología para investigación clínica en cardiología 2019”, Spanish Society of Cardiology 2.778 JCR (2020) Q3, 81/142 Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems 1.394 SJR (2020) Q1, 64/349 Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine No data IDR 2020 UEM

Objective: The authors investigated the incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), who were attending the emergency department (ED), before hospitalization. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all COVID-19 patients diagnosed with UGB in 62 Spanish EDs (20% of Spanish EDs, case group) during the first 2 months of the COVID-19 outbreak. We formed 2 control groups: COVID-19 patients without UGB (control group A) and non-COVID-19 patients with UGB (control group B). Fifty-three independent variables and 4 outcomes were compared between cases and controls. Results: We identified 83 UGB in 74,814 patients with COVID-19 who were attending EDs (1.11%, 95% CI=0.88-1.38). This incidence was lower compared with non-COVID-19 patients [2474/1,388,879, 1.78%, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.71-1.85; odds ratio (OR)=0.62; 95% CI=0.50-0.77]. Clinical characteristics associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 patients presenting with UGB were abdominal pain, vomiting, hematemesis, dyspnea, expectoration, melena, fever, cough, chest pain, and dysgeusia. Compared with non-COVID-19 patients with UGB, COVID-19 patients with UGB more frequently had fever, cough, expectoration, dyspnea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, interstitial lung infiltrates, and ground-glass lung opacities. They underwent fewer endoscopies in the ED (although diagnoses did not differ between cases and control group B) and less endoscopic treatment. After adjustment for age and sex, cases showed a higher in-hospital all-cause mortality than control group B (OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.09-3.86) but not control group A (OR=1.14, 95% CI=0.59-2.19) patients. Conclusions: The incidence of UGB in COVID-19 patients attending EDs was lower compared with non-COVID-19 patients. Digestive symptoms predominated over respiratory symptoms, and COVID-19 patients with UGB underwent fewer gastroscopies and endoscopic treatments than the general population with UGB. Inhospital mortality in COVID-19 patients with UGB was increased compared with non-COVID patients with UGB, but not compared with the remaining COVID-19 patients.