Relationship between clinical-epidemiological parameters and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit: a report from a Brazilian hospital

BackgroundPeople in low-income countries, especially those with low socio-economic conditions, are likelier to test positive for SARS-CoV-2. The unequal conditions of public health systems also increase the infection rate and make early identification and treatment of at-risk patients difficult. Here, we aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 patients in intensive care and identify laboratory and clinical markers associated with death.Materials and methodsWe conducted an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study in a reference hospital for COVID-19 treatment in the Southern Region of Bahia State, in Brazil, to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Additionally, we used the area under the curve (AUC) to classify survivors and non-survivors and a multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess factors associated with death. Data was collected from the hospital databases between April 2020 and July 2021.ResultsThe use of bladder catheters (OR 79.30; p < 0.0001) and central venous catheters (OR, 45.12; p < 0.0001) were the main factors associated with death in ICU COVID-19 patients. Additionally, the number of non-survivors increased with age (p < 0.0001) and prolonged ICU stay (p < 0.0001). Besides, SAPS3 presents a higher sensibility (77.9%) and specificity (63.1%) to discriminate between survivors and non-survivor with an AUC of 0.79 (p < 0.0001).ConclusionWe suggest that multi-laboratory parameters can predict patient prognosis and guide healthcare teams toward more assertive clinical management, better resource allocation, and improved survival of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU

Table_1_Relationship between clinical-epidemiological parameters and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit: a report from a Brazilian hospital.DOCX

BackgroundPeople in low-income countries, especially those with low socio-economic conditions, are likelier to test positive for SARS-CoV-2. The unequal conditions of public health systems also increase the infection rate and make early identification and treatment of at-risk patients difficult. Here, we aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 patients in intensive care and identify laboratory and clinical markers associated with death.Materials and methodsWe conducted an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study in a reference hospital for COVID-19 treatment in the Southern Region of Bahia State, in Brazil, to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Additionally, we used the area under the curve (AUC) to classify survivors and non-survivors and a multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess factors associated with death. Data was collected from the hospital databases between April 2020 and July 2021.ResultsThe use of bladder catheters (OR 79.30; p ConclusionWe suggest that multi-laboratory parameters can predict patient prognosis and guide healthcare teams toward more assertive clinical management, better resource allocation, and improved survival of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU.</p

A review on electric vehicles and their interaction with smart grids: the case of Brazil

This work provides a comprehensive literature review to evaluate the expected impacts of the introduction of electric vehicles into the power electric system with smart grid, examining the case of Brazil. Previous studies point out to different impact levels with the introduction of electric vehicles in the country’s electric grid, varying from small impacts for substitution of 10 % of the fleet, to potential difficulties if more than 20 % of the fleet is replaced. Electric vehicles offer significant advantages over their internal combustion engine powered vehicles counterparts, including the higher efficiency and performance of the electric motor, reduced pollution emissions during operation, and decreased noise levels. The current disadvantages lie mainly with the higher vehicle and battery costs, relatively long battery-charging period required, limited battery lifetime, and the need to increase market availability. Brazil’s electricity generation capacity is primarily based on clean and renewable energy (hydropower, wind, biomass), providing the preferred approach to charge electric vehicles with minimal carbon and other pollutant emissions. With the introduction of smart grids in the country’s electricity distribution structure, electric vehicles also provide a pathway (with renewable energy options) toward cleaner electricity, leveling the power demand cycle, and lowering the need to add costly central station generation by integrating them into the grid itself during periods when they are not used for transportation. However, careful studies must be conducted mainly due to the need to increase electric power generation to meet existing and imminent demands