Quantitative image analysis in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome: a cohort observational study.

Background Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe form of acute lung injury commonly associated with pneumonia, including coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). The resultant effect can be persistent lung damage, but its extent is not known. We used quantitative high resolution computed tomography (QHR-CT) lung scans to radiographically characterize the lung damage in COVID-19 ARDS (CARDS) survivors. Methods Patients with CARDS (N=20) underwent QHR-CT lung scans 60 to 90 days after initial diagnosis, while hospitalized at a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH). QHR-CT assessed for mixed disease (QMD), ground glass opacities (QGGO), consolidation (QCON) and normal lung tissue (QNL). QMD was correlated with respiratory support on admission, tracheostomy decannulation and supplementary oxygen need on discharge. Results Sixteen patients arrived with tracheostomy requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Four patients arrived on nasal oxygen support. Of the patients included in this study 10 had the tracheostomy cannula removed, four remained on invasive ventilation, and two died. QHR-CT showed 45% QMD, 28.1% QGGO, 3.0% QCON and QNL=23.9%. Patients with mandatory mechanical ventilation had the highest proportion of QMD when compared to no mechanical ventilation. There was no correlation between QMD and tracheostomy decannulation or need for supplementary oxygen at discharge. Conclusions Our data shows severe ongoing lung injury in patients with CARDS, beyond what is usually expected in ARDS. In this severely ill population, the extent of mixed disease correlates with mechanical ventilation, signaling formation of interstitial lung disease. QHR-CT analysis can be useful in the post-acute setting to evaluate for interstitial changes in ARDS.

Efficacy of Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure versus Heated Humidified High-Flow Nasal Cannula as a Primary Mode of Respiratory Support in Preterm Infants with RDS

Objective: To determine the efficacy of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) versus heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) as a primary mode of respiratory support in preterm infants with respiratory distress. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted at in-patient department of neonatology (Nursery & NICU) of Pakistan Insitute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) from July 2020 to Dec 2020. A total of 280 neonates randomly divided (140 in each study group) of both genders, with gestational age between 28-34 weeks and having mild-to-moderate respiratory distress within 1st 6 hours of birth requiring non-invasive ventilation were enrolled. Neonates in NCPAP Group (n=140) were given NCPAP whereas neonates in HHHFNC Group (n=140) were given HHHFNC. The efficacy of both groups were compared on the basis of treatment failure within 1st 3 days, total duration (hours) of non-invasive ventilator (NIV) required and total duration (hours) of supplementary oxygen required. Results: Overall, mean gestational age was noted to be 30.0+6.4 weeks. There were 144 (51.4%) neonates with birth weight between 1 to 1.4 kg, 90 (32.1%) between 1.5 to 1.9 kg and 46 (16.4%0 between 2.0 to 2.4 kg. Treatment failure was noted in 67 (47.6%) neonates in NCAP group while HHHFNC group reported 73 (52.4%) neonates with treatment failure (p=0.4733). No significant difference was observed in mean total duration of NIV support required (p=0.2598) or mean total duration of supplementary oxygen (p=0.1946) in between study groups. Conclusion: HHHFNC had similar efficacy when compared to NCPAP among neonates with RDS. In comparison to NCPAP, HHHFNC could be a simple, well-tolerated and effective alternative in terms of respiratory support. No major difference in terms of complication was observed between both treatment approaches.

Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure for Non-invasive Respiratory Support of Foals

Respiratory insufficiency and pulmonary health are important considerations in equine neonatal care. As the majority of foals are bred for athletic pursuits, strategies for respiratory support of compromised foals are of particular importance. The administration of supplementary oxygen is readily implemented in equine practice settings, but does not address respiratory insufficiency due to inadequate ventilation and is no longer considered optimal care for hypoxia in critical care settings. Non-invasive ventilatory strategies including continuous or bi-level positive airway pressure are effective in human and veterinary studies, and may offer improved respiratory support in equine clinical practice. The current study was conducted to investigate the use of a commercial bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilator, designed for home care of people with obstructive respiratory conditions, for respiratory support of healthy foals with pharmacologically induced respiratory insufficiency. A two sequence (administration of supplementary oxygen with, or without, BiPAP), two phase, cross-over experimental design was used in a prospective study with six foals. Gas exchange and mechanics of breathing (increased tidal volume, decreased respiratory rate and increased peak inspiratory flow) were improved during BiPAP relative to administration of supplementary oxygen alone or prior studies using continuous positive airway pressure, but modest hypercapnia was observed. Clinical observations, pulse oximetry and monitoring of expired carbon dioxide was of limited benefit in identification of foals responding inappropriately to BiPAP, and improved methods to assess and monitor respiratory function are required in foals.

COVID-19 Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients With Neurodegenerative Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background:COVID-19 outcomes in patients with neurodegenerative disorders are not well understood, and we hypothesize there may be increased morbidity and mortality in this group.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study performed at three hospitals in the Chicagoland area. All patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection with neurodegenerative disorder (ND) during a 3-month period (March 15-June 15, 2020) were included and compared with age-matched controls (CL) at 1:1 ratio. Primary outcomes were death, ICU admission and invasive ventilation. Secondary outcomes included presenting COVID-19 symptoms, development of encephalopathy, supplementary oxygen use, discharge disposition, and risk factors for mortality.Results:The study included 132 neurodegenerative patients and 132 age-matched controls. 90-day mortality (ND 19.7% vs CL 23.5%, p=0.45) and ICU admission (ND 31.5% vs CL 35.9%, p=0.43) rates were not significantly different between the two groups. ND patients had lower rate of invasive ventilation (ND 11.4% vs CL 23.2%, p=0.0075) and supplementary oxygen use (ND 83.2% vs CL 95.1%, p=0.0012). ND patients were also more likely to have “altered mental status or confusion” as their presenting COVID-19 symptom, and less likely to present with respiratory symptoms. ND patients were discharged to nursing home or hospice at higher rates compared to CL.Conclusion:We found there was no difference in short-term mortality of ND patients hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to controls, but they may have higher rates of neurologic complications and disability. Future studies should address long-term outcomes.

Postnatal diuretics, weight gain and home oxygen requirement in extremely preterm infants

Objectives Diuretics are often given to infants with evolving/established bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) with the hope of improving their pulmonary outcomes. We aimed to determine if diuretic use in preterm infants was associated with improved pulmonary outcomes, but poorer weight gain. Methods An observational study over a 5 year period was undertaken of all infants born at less than 29 weeks of gestation and alive at discharge in all neonatal units in England who received consecutive diuretic use for at least 7 days. Postnatal weight gain and home supplementary oxygen requirement were the outcomes. A literature review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and crossover studies was undertaken to determine if diuretic usage was associated with changes in lung mechanics and oxygenation, duration of supplementary oxygen and requirement for home supplementary oxygen. Results In the observational study, 9,457 infants survived to discharge, 44.6% received diuretics for at least 7 days. Diuretic use was associated with an increased probability of supplementary home oxygen of 0.14 and an increase in weight gain of 2.5 g/week. In the review, seven of the 10 studies reported improvements only in short term lung mechanics. There was conflicting evidence regarding whether diuretics resulted in short term improvements in oxygenation. Conclusions Diuretic use was not associated with a reduction in requirement for supplemental oxygen on discharge. The literature review highlighted a lack of RCTs assessing meaningful long-term clinical outcomes. Randomised trials are needed to determine the long-term risk benefit ratio of chronic diuretic use.

A short course of prednisolone in patients with moderate Covid 19 respiratory failure- stop the progression a case series.

Introduction This case series outlines the results of using prednisolone in patients with moderated respiratory failure secondary to Covid 19 pneumonitis to prevent the progression to invasive ventilation. There is no consensus on the use of prednisolone in Moderate Covid respiratory failure early in the pandemic this should be an additional option where Dexamethasone is not available. Consent was obtained by the patients for anonymous publication of their data.Clinical Findings The author provides evidence of four (4) Covid 19 positive cases admitted to the High dependency Unit with moderate respiratory failure, defined as needing supplementary oxygen therapy to maintain saturations above 90%, who when treated with prednisolone rapidly decreased their oxygen requirement and were successfully weaned to room air within 72 hours of initiation of steroids.Diagnosis Four (4) patients admitted to the High Dependency Unit diagnosed with moderate respiratory failure secondary to PCR positive Covid 19.Intervention Covid 19 positive patients requiring oxygen therapy to maintain saturations above 90% were given a trial of oral prednisolone between 15-30mg until they were weaned to room air maintaining saturations >95%.Outcome Rapid resolution of worsening respiratory function of Covid 19 positive patients within the High Dependency unit in a tertiary medical center. The signs and symptoms of respiratory failure resolved after 72 hours of prednisolone treatment and none of these patients were escalated to non-invasive or invasive respiratory support. The patients were kept for a further 48 hours after the steroids were discontinued to monitor for relapse of symptoms which none of them had.Conclusion Initiation of a prednisolone steroid trial must be considered in Covid 19 positive patients needing supplementary oxygen therapy or developing worsening shortness of breath. Early Covid respiratory failure responds to a low dose for a short duration and prevents escalation to non-invasive/invasive respiratory support.

Correlation of Retinopathy of Prematurity with Oxygen Saturation

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an abnormal vascular proliferative disease of retina that affects preterm infants. It is a leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide despite improvement in neonatal care and management. Earlier ROP was found to be associated with oxygen therapy only. Now it was concluded that aetiology of ROP was multifactorial but three factors have shown significant association with ROP: low gestational age (GA), low birth weight (BW), prolonged exposure to supplementary oxygen following delivery. Several investigators reported that lower oxygen saturation targets at young post-gestational ages with increased oxygen saturation targets at older post gestational ages reduced the incidence of ROP. However previous clinical studies are not conclusive.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a predictive scoring system for very low birth weight infants. A diagnostic accuracy study with prospective data collection

Our aim was to develop and validate a predictive risk score for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), according to two clinically used definitions: 1. Need for supplementary oxygen during ≥ 28 cumulative days, BPD28, 2. Need for supplementary oxygen at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), BPD36. Logistic regression was performed in a national cohort (infants born in Switzerland with a birth weight < 1501 g and/or between 23 0/7 and 31 6/7 weeks PMA in 2009 and 2010), to identify predictors of BPD. We built the score as the sum of predicting factors, weighted according to their ORs, and analysed its discriminative properties by calculating the area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curves (AUCs). This score was then applied to the Swiss national cohort from the years 2014–2015 to perform external validation. The incidence of BPD28 was 21.6% in the derivation cohort (n = 1488) and 25.2% in the validation cohort (n = 2006). The corresponding numbers for BPD36 were 11.3% and 11.1%, respectively. We identified gestational age, birth weight, antenatal corticosteroids, surfactant administration, proven infection, patent ductus arteriosus and duration of mechanical ventilation as independent predictors of BPD28. The AUCs of the BPD risk scores in the derivation cohort were 0.90 and 0.89 for the BPD28 and BPD36 definitions, respectively. The corresponding AUCs in the validation cohort were 0.92 and 0.88, respectively.Conclusion: This score allows for predicting the risk of a very low birth weight infant to develop BPD early in life and may be a useful tool in clinical practice and neonatal research. What is Known:• Many studies have proposed scoring systems to predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).• Such a risk prediction may be important to identify high-risk patients for counselling parents, research purposes and to identify candidates for specific treatment. What is New:• A predictive risk score for BPD was developed and validated in a large national multicentre cohort and its performance assessed by two indices of accuracy.• The developed scoring system allows to predict the risk of BPD development early but also at any day of life with high validity.

Thermographic visualization of facial vasoconstriction is associated with 30-day all-cause mortality in medical patients; prospective observational two-site cohort study

Introduction: Quick and reliable assessment of acute patients is required for accurate triage. The temperature gradient between core and peripheral temperature could possibly instantly provide information on circulatory status. Methods: Adult medical patients, who did not receive supplementary oxygen, attending two emergency departments, had a thermographic image taken on arrival. The association between 30-day mortality and gradients was tested using logistic regression. Results: 726 patients were studied, median age was 64 years and 14 (1.9%) died within 30 days. There was a significant association between mortality and temperature gradient, comparable to vital signs, age, and clinical intuition. Conclusion: Temperature gradient between nose and eye had an acceptable discriminatory power for 30-day all-cause mortality.

Clinical course of COVID-19 patients needing supplemental oxygen outside the intensive care unit

Patients suffering from CVOID-19 mostly experience a benign course of the disease. Approximately 14% of SARS-CoV2 infected patients are admitted to a hospital. Cohorts exhibiting severe lung failure in the form of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have been well characterized. Patients without ARDS but in need of supplementary oxygen have received much less attention. This study describes the diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 needing oxygen support during their stay on regular ward. All 133 patients admitted to the RWTH Aachen university hospital with the diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in an observational registry. Clinical data sets were extracted from the hospital information system. This analysis includes all 57 patients requiring supplemental oxygen not admitted to the ICU. 57 patients needing supplemental oxygen and being treated outside the ICU were analyzed. Patients exhibited the typical set of symptoms for COVID-19. Of note, hypoxic patients mostly did not suffer from clinically relevant dyspnea despite oxygen saturations below 92%. Patients had fever for 7 [2–11] days and needed supplemental oxygen for 8 [5–13] days resulting in an overall hospitalization time of 12 [7–20] days. In addition, patients had persisting systemic inflammation with CRP levels remaining elevated until discharge or death. This description of COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen therapy should be taken into account when planning treatment capacity. Patients on oxygen need long-term inpatient care.