Inflammatory and Cardiac Biomarkers in Relation with Post-Acute COVID-19 and Mortality: What We Know after Successive Pandemic Waves

Background: Biomarkers were correlated with mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients. No prediction tools exist for noncritically ill COVID-19 patients. We aimed to compare the independent prognostic value of inflammation and cardiac biomarkers for post-acute COVID-19 patients and the 30-day mortality rate in noncritically ill COVID-19 patients, as well as the relation with the virus variant involved. Methods: This observational cohort study was conducted at an emergency clinical hospital between 1 October 2020 and 31 December 2021. We included consecutive patients with biomarkers determined within 24 h of presentation, followed up at least 30 days postdischarge. Results: Post-acute COVID-19 was diagnosed in 20.3% of the cases and the all-cause 30-day mortality rate was 35.1% among 978 patients infected with variants of concern. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (1.06 [95%CI, 1.01–1.11], p = 0.015) and NT-pro BNP were correlated with 30-daymortality, while the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (2.77 [95%CI, 1.10–6.94], p = 0.03) and NT-pro BNP (1.68 [95%CI, 1.00–2.84], p = 0.05) were correlated with post-acute COVID-19. High-sensitivity to troponin was associated with 30-day mortality (1.55 [95%CI, 1.00–2.42], p = 0.05). A Cox proportional-hazards model confirmed that NT-pro BNP was independently associated with mortality. NT-pro BNP remained independently associated with 30-day mortality during follow-up (1.29 [95%CI, 1.07–1.56], p = 0.007) after adjustment for confounders. Conclusion: Inflammation and cardiac biomarkers, determined upon admission and predischarge, in a cohort of hospitalized noncritically ill COVID-19 patients throughout successive pandemic waves, showed a predictive value for post-acute COVID-19 and 30-day mortality

Native and Prosthetic Simultaneously Double Valve Infective Endocarditis with Enterococcus faecalis—Case-Based Review

Infective endocarditis is a severe infective heart disease, commonly involving native or prosthetic valves. It frequently presents with univalvular involvement and simultaneous double valve or multivalvular involvement is rarely described. The third leading cause of infective endocarditis worldwide is Enterococcus faecalis, which is associated with high mortality rates despite important advances in antimicrobial therapy. It develops secondary to enterococcal bacteremia, with its origin from the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract and predominantly affecting the elderly population with multiple comorbidities. Clinical presentation is usually less typical, and the treatment is challenging. It can be marked by antibiotic resistance, side effects, and subsequent complications. Surgical treatment can be considered if deemed appropriate. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case-based narrative review of Enterococcus faecalis double valve endocarditis involving both the aortic native and prosthetic mitral valve, highlighting the clinical characteristics, treatment, and complications of this condition

Severe Intentional Corrosive (Nitric Acid) Acute Poisoning: A Case Report and Literature Review

Despite being one of the most debilitating conditions encountered in the field of toxicology, there is a lack of neutralization measures for the toxins involved in acute corrosive poisoning, and this promotes progressive contact injury of deep tissues after poisoning has occurred. Multiple controversies still surround management strategies during the acute phase of poisoning and the long-term follow-up of the patient. Here, we report a severe case of intentional poisoning with nitric acid complicated by extensive injury of the upper digestive tract, multiple stricture formation, and complete dysphagia. Serial endoscopic dilation and insertion of a jejunostomy feeding tube were necessary, and underlying psychiatric illness negatively affected the outcome of the patient. We conclude that an interdisciplinary approach is necessary to properly reduce the extent of lesions and sequelae induced by corrosion. Early endoscopic mapping of injuries is of major importance to better predict the evolution and possible complications of poisoning. Interventional and reconstructive surgical procedures may significantly improve the life expectancy and quality of life of patients following intoxication with corrosive substances