The Association between Laboratory Blood Parameters and Ocular Manifestations in COVID-19 Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

Background and Objective: With the spread of coronavirus disease 2019, secondary ocular manifestations were observed as common complications in COVID-19 patients, which can challenge the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between laboratory parameters and ocular diseases and to determine their specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of ocular diseases in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 89 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit of Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital in Babol were examined from December 2020 to February 2021. Clinical examinations were performed according to the global standards for ophthalmology examinations for patients, and patients were examined in terms of intraocular pressure, cup-to-disc ratio, ocular manifestations, and ocular diseases. Routine hematology and biochemical laboratory tests were performed for all patients. Patients were compared in the group with an ocular disease (manifestation) and the group without that ocular disease (manifestation). Findings: Out of 89 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in the intensive care unit, 44 women and 45 men participated in the study and the mean age of the patients was 58.5±14.64 years. The number of white blood cells was significantly lower in COVID-19 patients with pinguecula compared to non-pinguecula patients (p=0.026). Furthermore, the relative percentage of lymphocytes was significantly lower (p=0.003) in COVID-19 patients with cataract (9.64±13.20%) compared to non-cataract patients (14.25±17.95%). The relative percentage of neutrophils was higher in COVID-19 patients with cataract compared to non-cataract patients (p=0.01). RBC is significantly reduced in COVID-19 patients with chemosis (p=0.024). For the relative percentage of neutrophils greater than or equal to 82.55%, cataract for COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit with 0.83% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity is positive. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that blood cells and some biochemical parameters are associated with ocular diseases in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in coronavirus disease 2019 patients: the promising role of diuretic therapy in critically ill patients

The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on diastolic function is less known. We describe a 46-year-old man with a history of mild hypertension who presented to the emergency department with fever, cough, and myalgia for 2 days. The patient was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. He was admitted and started on a combination of antiviral and antimicrobial therapy. He developed respiratory distress 2 days later, and O2 saturation declined. Blood tests showed an increased N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, and echocardiography showed normal left ventricular ejection fraction and E/e� ratio of 16. Computed tomography scan showed interstitial pulmonary oedema and prominent peripheral pulmonary vascular markings. Given these findings, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was considered. Low-dose diuretic was started, and fluid administration was restricted, resulting in a decrease in NT-proBNP level, clinical and haemodynamic stabilization, and improved oxygenation. This case highlights the occurrence of HFpEF in coronavirus disease 2019. © 2021 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology

Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) for the treatment of severe life-threatening hypoxia in ARDS patients

Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is a new mode of ventilation. APRV is used in the acute respiratory distress syndrome when the low tidal volume strategy was not responding to assisted controlled mandatory ventilation (ACMV). Four cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome and severe life threatening hypoxia with ACMV whom were successfully managed with APRV are reported in this article. Although hypoxemia patients were treated by APRV method but eventually two patients died

Aspiration pneumonitis after seizure in a patient undergone cesarean section: a case report

Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents during the peri-operative period is rare but with significant morbidity and mortality. A 21 years old pregnant woman with preeclampsia was scheduled for an emergency cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. After 18 hours of operation, epilepticus status was occurred. One day after control of seizure, aspiration pneumonitis was diagnosed and treated with mechanical ventilation and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). In patients with the history of loss, consciousness, complication of aspiration, aspiration pneumonia and pneumonitis particularly should be considerated. In case of onset of pneumonitis, PEEP treated procedure with other mechanical ventilation is recommaded

The Relationship between Serum Vitamin D Level and the Outcome of Patients Hospitalized in the Medical Intensive Care Unit

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D plays a key role in bone mineralization, muscular strength, immune system function, cardiovascular function and the health and function of brain. Since the critically ill patients hospitalized in the medical intensive care unit suffer from vitamin D deficiency due to several reasons, the present study aims to evaluate the serum vitamin D level and its association with the outcome of patients hospitalized in the medical intensive care unit. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among all patients hospitalized in the medical intensive care unit of Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital during 16 months. Vitamin D level, age, sex, cause of admission, the glasgow coma scale (GCS) and mortality were recorded. The intensity of patients' illness was measured based on the APACHE score. The level and intensity of vitamin D deficiency were measured and compared between survivors and patients who died. RESULTS: Of the 117 patients who entered the study, 49.6% were male. The mean age of the patients was 67.22±17.27 years. The mean glasgow coma scale was 8.41±2.5. 72.6% of the patients suffered from vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml). 56 patients (47.9%) died. Vitamin D level was 14.16±12.21 in patients who died and was 21.90±18.20 in patients who survived. No significant relationship was found between mortality and vitamin D level. CONCLUSION: Results of the present study demonstrated that mortality rate in patients with vitamin D deficiency is higher than other patients

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in coronavirus disease 2019 patients: the promising role of diuretic therapy in critically ill patients

The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on diastolic function is less known. We describe a 46-year-old man with a history of mild hypertension who presented to the emergency department with fever, cough, and myalgia for 2 days. The patient was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. He was admitted and started on a combination of antiviral and antimicrobial therapy. He developed respiratory distress 2 days later, and O2 saturation declined. Blood tests showed an increased N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level, and echocardiography showed normal left ventricular ejection fraction and E/e� ratio of 16. Computed tomography scan showed interstitial pulmonary oedema and prominent peripheral pulmonary vascular markings. Given these findings, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was considered. Low-dose diuretic was started, and fluid administration was restricted, resulting in a decrease in NT-proBNP level, clinical and haemodynamic stabilization, and improved oxygenation. This case highlights the occurrence of HFpEF in coronavirus disease 2019. © 2021 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology

Evaluating the Establishment of the National Program on Regarding of Medical Residents to the Principles of Professional Ethics at the Universities of Medical Sciences Located in the Macro Educational Region Number One

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Professional assistants are among the learners whose ability in terms of professional ethics and commitment influences their future performance after graduation so that, as an excellent physician, they can combine patient care with confidence and desirable medical skills. Considering that no comprehensive assessment of the national guideline on regarding of establishment of medical residents to the professional ethics has been published, so far this study aimed to evaluate the activities of medical universities to conduct this program. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the activities of the major medical universities in region one, where had medical residents, during 2015-2018. Information on the formation of committees related to the evaluation of feedback, teaching the basics of professional ethics and how to respond to residents by asking managers of different levels of the university in the Medical Ethics Council, the Vice Chancellor for Education, medical School, department heads and departments Educational and medical centers with assistants. FINDINGS: Four universities of medical sciences (80% of the target population) with 4 faculties, 8 educational hospitals and 8 educational departments were evaluated. The implementation and activities of committees to investigate the professional ethics of assistants in the educational departments and hospitals of different universities has not been exactly in accordance with national guidelines. The hospital committee and the medical school committee have been established in accordance with the national guideline only at one university. None of the universities in the region had a fourth-level university committee. CONCLUSION: This study shows the establishment of a national program of commitment of medical assistants to the principles of professional ethics in the majority of macro medical universities in region one and the attention of different levels of universities, including senior administrators, faculties, educational centers and clinical departments in different dimensions of this program especially training for assistants to commitment to professional principles in these universities

Evaluating the establishment of the national program on regarding of medical residents to the principles of professional ethics at the universities of medical sciences located in the macro educational region number one

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Professional assistants are among the learners whose ability in terms of professional ethics and commitment influences their future performance after graduation so that, as an excellent physician, they can combine patient care with confidence and desirable medical skills. Considering that no comprehensive assessment of the national guideline on regarding of establishment of medical residents to the professional ethics has been published, so far this study aimed to evaluate the activities of medical universities to conduct this program. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the activities of the major medical universities in region one, where had medical residents, during 2015-2018. Information on the formation of committees related to the evaluation of feedback, teaching the basics of professional ethics and how to respond to residents by asking managers of different levels of the university in the Medical Ethics Council, the Vice Chancellor for Education, medical School, department heads and departments Educational and medical centers with assistants. FINDINGS: Four universities of medical sciences (80 of the target population) with 4 faculties, 8 educational hospitals and 8 educational departments were evaluated. The implementation and activities of committees to investigate the professional ethics of assistants in the educational departments and hospitals of different universities has not been exactly in accordance with national guidelines. The hospital committee and the medical school committee have been established in accordance with the national guideline only at one university. None of the universities in the region had a fourth-level university committee. CONCLUSION: This study shows the establishment of a national program of commitment of medical assistants to the principles of professional ethics in the majority of macro medical universities in region one and the attention of different levels of universities, including senior administrators, faculties, educational centers and clinical departments in different dimensions of this program especially training for assistants to commitment to professional principles in these universities. © 2020, Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved