Covidogram as a simple tool for predicting severe course of COVID-19: population-based study

Objectives COVID-19 might either be entirely asymptomatic or manifest itself with a large variability of disease severity. It is beneficial to identify early patients with a high risk of severe course. The aim of the analysis was to develop a prognostic model for the prediction of the severe course of acute respiratory infection.Design A population-based study.Setting Czech Republic.Participants The first 7455 consecutive patients with COVID-19 who were identified by reverse transcription-PCR testing from 1 March 2020 to 17 May 2020.Primary outcome Severe course of COVID-19.Result Of a total 6.2% of patients developed a severe course of COVID-19. Age, male sex, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, recent history of cancer, chronic heart failure, acid-related disorders treated with proton-pump inhibitors and diabetes mellitus were found to be independent negative prognostic factors (Area under the ROC Curve (AUC) was 0.893). The results were visualised by risk heat maps, and we called this diagram a ‘covidogram’. Acid-related disorders treated with proton-pump inhibitors might represent a negative prognostic factor.Conclusion We developed a very simple prediction model called ‘covidogram’, which is based on elementary independent variables (age, male sex and the presence of several chronic diseases) and represents a tool that makes it possible to identify—with a high reliability—patients who are at risk of a severe course of COVID-19. Obtained results open clinically relevant question about the role of acid-related disorders treated by proton-pump inhibitors as predictor for severe course of COVID-19

Effectiveness of ICD therapy in real clinical practice. The Olomouc ICD Registry

Background. Clinical parameters linked to a low benefit of ICD implantation and increased mortality risks are needed for an individualized assessment of potential benefits and risks of ICD implantation. Methods. Analysis of a prospective registry of all patients hospitalized from 2009 to 2019 in a single centre for a first implantation of any type of ICD. Results. A total of 2,681 patients were included in the registry. Until the end of follow-up (38.4 ± 29.1 months), 682 (25.4%) patients died. The one-year mortality in all patients, the one-year CV mortality, the three-year mortality in all patients, and the three-year CV mortality were 7.8%, 5.7%, 20.6%, and 14.8%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference when the subgroups were compared according to the type of cardiomyopathy. No significant difference was found between primary and secondary prevention and between the types of devices. Male gender, age ≥ 75 years, diabetes mellitus, and atrial fibrillation were associated with a significantly increased mortality risk. Conclusion. In an analysis of a long-term follow-up of 2,681 ICD patients, we found no mortality difference between patients with ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and in the device type. A higher mortality risk was found in men, patients older than 75 years, diabetics, and those with atrial fibrillation

Prognostic value of NT-proBNP added to clinical parameters to predict two-year prognosis of chronic heart failure patients with mid-range and reduced ejection fraction - A report from FAR NHL prospective registry.

BACKGROUND:According to guidelines, the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure can be predicted by determining the levels of natriuretic peptides, the NYHA classification and comorbidities. The aim our work was to develop a prognostic score in chronic heart failure patients that would take account of patients' comorbidities, NYHA and NT-proBNP levels. METHODS AND RESULTS:A total of 1,088 patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (LVEF1000 ng/L respectively. Discrimination abilities of NYHA and NT-proBNP were AUC 0.670 (p40 mg daily) (AUC 0.773; p<0.001) was increased by adding the NT-proBNP level (AUC 0.790). CONCLUSION:The use of prediction models in patients with chronic heart failure, namely those taking account of natriuretic peptides, should become a standard in routine clinical practice. It might contribute to a better identification of a high-risk group of patients in which more intense treatment needs to be considered, such as heart transplantation or LVAD implantation

Kinetics of Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Septic Shock: A Pilot Study

Septic shock is a major cause of mortality in ICU patients, its pathophysiology is complex and not properly understood. Oxidative stress seems to be one of the most important mechanisms of shock progression to multiple organ failure. In the present pilot study, we have analysed eight oxidative-stress-related biomarkers in seven consecutive time points (i.e., the first seven days) in 21 septic shock patients admitted to the ICU. Our objective was to describe the kinetics of four biomarkers related to pro-oxidative processes (nitrite/nitrate, malondialdehyde, 8-oxo-2&prime;-deoxyguanosine, soluble endoglin) compared to four biomarkers of antioxidant processes (the ferric reducing ability of plasma, superoxide dismutase, asymmetric dimethylarginine, mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin) and four inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, IL-6, IL-10 and neopterin). Furthermore, we analysed each biomarker&rsquo;s ability to predict mortality at the time of admission and 12 h after admission. Although a small number of study subjects were recruited, we have identified four promising molecules for further investigation: soluble endoglin, superoxide dismutase, asymmetric dimethylarginine and neopterin

Kinetics of Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Septic Shock: A Pilot Study

Septic shock is a major cause of mortality in ICU patients, its pathophysiology is complex and not properly understood. Oxidative stress seems to be one of the most important mechanisms of shock progression to multiple organ failure. In the present pilot study, we have analysed eight oxidative-stress-related biomarkers in seven consecutive time points (i.e., the first seven days) in 21 septic shock patients admitted to the ICU. Our objective was to describe the kinetics of four biomarkers related to pro-oxidative processes (nitrite/nitrate, malondialdehyde, 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine, soluble endoglin) compared to four biomarkers of antioxidant processes (the ferric reducing ability of plasma, superoxide dismutase, asymmetric dimethylarginine, mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin) and four inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, IL-6, IL-10 and neopterin). Furthermore, we analysed each biomarker’s ability to predict mortality at the time of admission and 12 h after admission. Although a small number of study subjects were recruited, we have identified four promising molecules for further investigation: soluble endoglin, superoxide dismutase, asymmetric dimethylarginine and neopterin

Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity to Metals of Environmental Burden in Patients with Takotsubo Syndrome – Is There a Clinical Relevance?

<div><p>Objective</p><p>Takotsubo syndrome (TS) is a heart condition characterised by a sudden transient left ventricular dysfunction; its pathophysiology is probably associated with elevated levels of catecholamines but the exact mechanism is not known as yet. Literature and clinical experience suggest that TS affects persons with various comorbidities. This pilot work aims to evaluate the frequency of comorbidities with potential pathological immune reactivity, and to evaluate the potential association between TS and hypersensitivity to metals assessed by LTT-MELISA®.</p><p>Methodology, Results</p><p>A total of 24 patients (23 women, 1 man) with a history of TS attack and 27 healthy controls were evaluated. Hypersensitivity was evaluated by a lymphocyte transformation test (LTT-MELISA®); a questionnaire of environmental burden was used to select evaluated metals. A total of 19 patients (79%) had at least one condition that might potentially be associated with pathological immune reactivity (autoimmune thyroid disease, drug allergy, bronchial asthma, cancer, contact dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis). Hypersensitivity to metals was identified significantly more frequently in TS patients than in healthy controls (positive reaction to at least one metal was identified in 95.8% of TS patients and in 59.3% of controls; p = 0.003); the difference was statistically significant for mercury (45.8% and 14.8%, respectively; p = 0.029).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Our work shows that conditions with pathological immune reactivity occur frequently in TS patients, and our data suggest a possible association between TS and hypersensitivity to metals (mercury in particular) evaluated by LTT-MELISA®. We also suggest that apart from the triggering stress factor, potential existence of other serious conditions should be considered when taking medical history of TS patients.</p></div

Falsifikate von Münzen KM-O.856-16

Falsifikat einer deutschen Reichsmak (1878

Proportions of patients treated with ACEI/ARB and betablockers are shown before the admission due to acute STEMI (previous treatment), during first and second day of hospitalization, and at discharge separately in women (top panels) and men (bottom panels).

<p>Statistically significant differences between patients with and without hypotension are marked with asterisk. STEMI—ST elevation myocardial infarction, ACEI—angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, ARB—angiotensin receptor blocker.</p