Prognostic significance of N-Terminal Pro-BNP in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia without previous history of heart failure

Introduction

The objective of the present research was to evaluate the possible association between the N-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and in-hospital mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia patients who did not have pre-existing heart failure (HF).

Methods

A total of 137 consecutive patients without pre-existing HF and hospitalized due to COVID-19 pneumonia were enrolled into the current research. The main outcome of the research was the in-hospital death. The independent parameters linked with the in-hospital death were determined by multivariable analysis.

Results

A total of 26 deaths with an in-hospital mortality rate of 18.9% was noted. Those who died were older with an increased frequency of co-morbidities such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, stroke and dementia. They had also increased white blood cell (WBC) counts and had elevated glucose, creatinine, troponin I, and NT-pro-BNP levels but had decreased levels of hemoglobin. By multivariable analysis; age, NT-pro-BNP, WBC, troponin I, and creatinine levels were independently linked with the in-hospital mortality. After ROC evaluation, the ideal value of the NT-pro-BNP to predict the in-hospital mortality was found as 260 ng/L reflecting a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 93% (AUC:0.86; 95% CI: 0.76–0.97).

Conclusion

The current research clearly shows that the NT-proBNP levels are independently linked with the in-hospital mortality rates in subjects with COVID-19 pneumonia and without HF. Thus, we believe that this biomarker can be used as a valuable prognostic parameter in such cases.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

Comparison of D-dimer level measured on the third day of hospitalization with D-dimer level in predicting in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients

Objective

The present study aimed to compare the value of D-dimer measured on the 3rd day of hospitalization with admission D-dimer level in predicting in-hospital mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Method

In total, 231 patients with COVID-19 disease were included in the study. D-dimer levels were estimated using immunoturbidimetric assay with normal range of 0–500 μg/mL. In the current research, the primary outcome was the in-hospital mortality.

Results

In the present research, 39 (16.8%) COVID-19 cases died during the index hospitalization. In a multivariable analysis; age, D-dimer (3rd day) (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 1.00–1.00, p<0.001), WBC count, and creatinine were independent predictors of the in-hospital death for COVID-19 cases. The ideal value of D-dimer level on the 3rd day of hospitalization was 774 μq/mL (area under curve (AUC): 0.903, 95% CI: 0.836–0.968; p<0.01) with sensitivity of 83.2% and specificity of 83.6%. It was noted that D-dimer level on the 3rd day of hospitalization had a higher sensitivity (83.2% vs 67.6%, respectively) and AUC value than that of D-dimer level on admission (0.903 vs 0.799, respectively).

Conclusion

The main finding in this investigation was that D-dimer elevation on the 3rd of hospitalization is more sensitive predictor of in-hospital mortality than D-dimer elevation on admission in COVID-19 patients. Even though further investigations are needed to forecast precise prognosis in patients with COVID-19 disease in terms of D-dimer levels, we believe that D-dimer levels on the 3rd day of hospitalization have an enhanced potential to be used as a prognostic marker in routine clinical practice.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Table 1Figure 1

Comparison of D-dimer Level Measured on the Third Day of Hospitalization with Admission D-dimer Level in Predicting In-hospital Mortality in COVID-19 Patients

Objective

The present study aimed to compare the value of D-dimer measured on the 3rd day of hospitalization with admission D-dimer level in predicting in-hospital mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Method

In total, 231 patients with COVID-19 disease were included in the study. D-dimer levels were estimated using immunoturbidimetric assay with normal range of 0-500 μg/mL. In the current research, the primary outcome was the in-hospital mortality.

Results

In the present research, 39 (16.8%) COVID-19 cases died during the index hospitalization. In a multivariable analysis; age, D-dimer (3^rd day) (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 1.00-1.00, p<0.001), WBC count, and creatinine were independent predictors of the in-hospital death for COVID-19 cases. The ideal value of D-dimer level on the 3^rd day of hospitalization was 774 μq/mL (area under curve (AUC): 0.903, 95% CI: 0.836-0.968; p<0.01) with sensitivity of 83.2% and specificity of 83.6%. It was noted that D-dimer level on the 3^rd day of hospitalization had a higher sensitivity (83.2% vs 67.6%, respectively) and AUC value than that of D-dimer level on admission (0.903 vs 0.799, respectively).

Conclusion

The main finding in this investigation was that D-dimer elevation on the 3^rd of hospitalization is more sensitive predictor of in-hospital mortality than D-dimer elevation on admission in COVID-19 patients. Even though further investigations are needed to forecast precise prognosis in patients with COVID-19 disease in terms of D-dimer levels, we believe that D-dimer levels on the 3^rd day of hospitalization have an enhanced potential to be used as a prognostic marker in routine clinical practice.

Evaluation of the relation between cardiac biomarkers and thorax computed tomography findings in COVID-19 patients

Background: Troponin levels may be elevated in COVID-19 infection. The aim of this study was to the explore relation between troponin levels and COVID-19 severity. Materials, methods & Results: One hundred and forty consecutive patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were included. Diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia was based on positive chest computed tomography (CT) findings. Quantitative PCR test was performed in all patients. Only 74 patients were quantitative PCR-positive. Twenty four patients had severe CT findings and 27 patients had progressive disease. These patients had significantly lower albumin and higher ferritin, D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI). Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with severe CT findings and progressive disease had higher hs-cTnI levels suggesting the use of hs-cTnI in risk stratification.

Atrial peak longitudinal strain may be predictive of pancolitis in patients with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease of the colon that is characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. Previous studies have shown that arterial stiffness, carotid intima media thickness, atrial electromechanical delay, and global longitudinal strain suggested subclinical cardiovascular disorders in ulcerative colitis patients. The aims of our study was to evaluate the left atrial function of patients with ulcerative colitis by using speckle tracking echocardiography, and to assess the relationship between echocardiographic variables and the extent of the disease.

METHODS

We recruited 51 outpatients with ulcerative colitis in remission phase and 52 healthy volunteers. The ulcerative colitis patients were evaluated by for the extent of the disease by endoscopy at the initial diagnosis.

RESULTS

E/E_m , left atrial volume, and left atrial stiffness index were higher, and peak atrial longitudinal strain was lower in pancolitis than in non-pancolitis patients. In the multivariate logistic regression test, peak atrial longitudinal strain and E/E_m were found to be independent predictors for pancolitis.

CONCLUSION

Early detection of myocardial abnormalities by conventional echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography, which is a simple and non-invasive technique, may be useful for giving insights to the extent of the disease in ulcerative colitis patients.

Impact of a multidimensional infection control strategy on central line-associated bloodstream infection rates in pediatric intensive care units of five developing countries: findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC)

PURPOSE

To analyze the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) multidimensional infection control strategy including a practice bundle to reduce the rates of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLAB) in patients hospitalized in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) of hospitals, which are members of the INICC, from nine cities of five developing countries: Colombia, India, Mexico, Philippines, and Turkey.

METHODS

CLAB rates were determined by means of a prospective surveillance study conducted on 1,986 patients hospitalized in nine PICUs, over a period of 12,774 bed-days. The study was divided into two phases. During Phase 1 (baseline period), active surveillance was performed without the implementation of the multi-faceted approach. CLAB rates obtained in Phase 1 were compared with CLAB rates obtained in Phase 2 (intervention period), after implementation of the INICC multidimensional infection control program.

RESULTS

During Phase 1, 1,029 central line (CL) days were recorded, and during Phase 2, after implementing the CL care bundle and interventions, we recorded 3,861 CL days. The CLAB rate was 10.7 per 1,000 CL days in Phase 1, and in Phase 2, the CLAB rate decreased to 5.2 per 1,000 CL days (relative risk [RR] 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29-0.94, P = 0.02), showing a reduction of 52% in the CLAB rate.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the implementation of a multidimensional infection control strategy was associated with a significant reduction in the CLAB rates in the PICUs of developing countries.

Renal infarction mimicking renal colic in patient with a prosthetic aortic valve

A 31 year old man with prosthetic aortic valve replacement presented with sudden onset of colic right flank pain. Analysis of the urine revealed haematuria, and the international normalised ratio was suboptimal. The patient was misdiagnosed as having ureteral colic. On the second day, an ultrasound showed no signs of obstructive uropathy, and there was no evidence of absent function on intravenous pyelogram. Computed tomography with contrast agent was performed and revealed a right renal infarction. Renal angiography demonstrated total occlusion of the right renal artery. Fibrinolytic therapy and angioplasty were unsuccessful. To our knowledge, aortic prosthetic valve thrombus as a source of renal artery embolism mimicking renal colic has not been reported previously. This case underlines the importance of renal colic as a manifestation of renal infarction in patients with prosthetic valves and the need for a high index of suspicion of renal embolism.