SARS-CoV-2 viral load in nasopharyngeal swabs is not an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome

The aim was to assess the ability of nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load at first patient’s hospital evaluation to predict unfavorable outcomes. We conducted a prospective cohort study including 321 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 through RT-PCR in nasopharyngeal swabs. Quantitative Synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA cycle threshold values were used to calculate the viral load in log10 copies/mL. Disease severity at the end of follow up was categorized into mild, moderate, and severe. Primary endpoint was a composite of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and/or death (n = 85, 26.4%). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load over the second quartile (≥ 7.35 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.003) and second tertile (≥ 8.27 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.01) were associated to unfavorable outcome in the unadjusted logistic regression analysis. However, in the final multivariable analysis, viral load was not independently associated with an unfavorable outcome. Five predictors were independently associated with increased odds of ICU admission and/or death: age ≥ 70 years, SpO2, neutrophils > 7.5 × 103/µL, lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 300 U/L, and C-reactive protein ≥ 100 mg/L. In summary, nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 viral load on admission is generally high in patients with COVID-19, regardless of illness severity, but it cannot be used as an independent predictor of unfavorable clinical outcome

Nurses' perceptions of aids and obstacles to the provision of optimal end of life care in ICU

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Código shock cardiogénico 2023. Documento de expertos para una organización multidisciplinaria que permita una atención de calidad

Despite the efforts made to improve the care of cardiogenic shock (CS) patients, including the development of mechanical circulatory support (MCS), the prognosis of these patients continues to be poor. In this context, CS code initiatives arise, based on providing adequate, rapid, and quality care to these patients. In this multidisciplinary document we try to justify the need to implement the SC code, defining its structure/organization, activation criteria, patient flow according to care level, and quality indicators. Our specific purposes are: a) to present the peculiarities of this condition and the lessons of infarction code and previous experiences in CS; b) to detail the structure of the teams, their logistics and the bases for the management of these patients, the choice of the type of MCS, and the moment of its implantation, and c) to address challenges to SC code implementation, including the uniqueness of the pediatric SC code. There is an urgent need to develop protocolized, multidisciplinary, and centralized care in hospitals with a large volume and experience that will minimize inequity in access to the MCS and improve the survival of these patients. Only institutional and structural support from the different administrations will allow optimizing care for CS.Pese a los esfuerzos realizados para mejorar la atención al shock cardiogénico (SC), incluyendo el desarrollo de dispositivos de asistencia circulatoria mecánica (ACM), su pronóstico continúa siendo desfavorable. En este contexto surgen iniciativas de código SC, basadas en proporcionar una asistencia rápida y de calidad a estos pacientes. Este documento multidisciplinario trata de justificar la necesidad de implantar el código SC, definiendo su estructura/organización, criterios de activación, flujo de pacientes según nivel asistencial e indicadores de calidad. Sus propósitos concretos son: a) presentar las peculiaridades de esta enfermedad y el aprendizaje del código infarto y de experiencias previas en SC; b) detallar las bases para el abordaje de estos pacientes, la estructura de los equipos, su logística, la elección del tipo de ACM y el momento de su implante, y c) abordar los desafíos para la implantación del código SC, como la singularidad del código SC pediátrico. Urge desarrollar una asistencia protocolizada, multidisciplinaria y centralizada en hospitales con gran volumen y experiencia que permita minimizar la inequidad en el acceso a la ACM y mejorar la supervivencia de estos enfermos. Solo el apoyo institucional y estructural de las distintas administraciones permitirá optimizar la atención al SC