Chest X-ray for predicting mortality and the need for ventilatory support in COVID-19 patients presenting to the emergency department

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the inter-rater agreement of chest X-ray (CXR) findings in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to determine the value of initial CXR along with demographic, clinical, and laboratory data at emergency department (ED) presentation for predicting mortality and the need for ventilatory support. Methods A total of 340 COVID-19 patients who underwent CXR in the ED setting (March 1–13, 2020) were retrospectively included. Two reviewers independently assessed CXR abnormalities, including ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and consolidation. Two scoring systems (Brixia score and percentage of lung involvement) were applied. Inter-rater agreement was assessed by weighted Cohen’s kappa (κ) or intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Predictors of death and respiratory support were identified by logistic or Poisson regression. Results GGO admixed with consolidation (n = 235, 69%) was the most common CXR finding. The inter-rater agreement was almost perfect for type of parenchymal opacity (κ = 0.90), Brixia score (ICC = 0.91), and percentage of lung involvement (ICC = 0.95). The Brixia score (OR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.34; p = 0.003), age (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.22; p < 0.001), PaO2/FiO2 ratio (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98, 1; p = 0.002), and cardiovascular diseases (OR: 3.21; 95% CI: 1.28, 8.39; p = 0.014) predicted death. Percentage of lung involvement (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.03; p = 0.001) and PaO2/FiO2 ratio (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.00; p < 0.001) were significant predictors of the need for ventilatory support. Conclusions CXR is a reproducible tool for assessing COVID-19 and integrates with patient history, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and SpO2 values to early predict mortality and the need for ventilatory support. Key Points • Chest X-ray is a reproducible tool for assessing COVID-19 pneumonia. • The Brixia score and percentage of lung involvement on chest X-ray integrate with patient history, PaO2/FIO2ratio, and SpO2values to early predict mortality and the need for ventilatory support in COVID-19 patients presenting to the emergency department.

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Chest X-ray Severity and its Association with Outcomes in Patients with COVID-19 Presenting to the Emergency Department

10.1101/2021.10.31.21265672 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Kotok ◽

Jose Rivera Robles ◽

Christine Girard ◽

Shruti Shettigar ◽

Allen Lavina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Scoring Systems ◽

Lung Edema ◽

Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽

Radiographic Assessment ◽

X Ray ◽

Physiologic Parameters ◽

Chest X Ray ◽

Using Data

Background: Severity of radiographic abnormalities on chest X-ray (CXR) in patients with COVID-19 has been shown to be associated with worse outcomes, but studies are limited by different scoring systems, sample size, patient age and study duration. Data regarding the longitudinal evolution of radiographic abnormalities and its association with outcomes is scarce. We sought to evaluate these questions using a well-validated scoring system (the Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema [RALE] score) using data over 6 months from a large, multi-hospital healthcare system. Methods: We collected clinical and demographic data and quantified radiographic edema on CXRs obtained in the emergency department (ED) as well as on days 1-2 and 3-5 (in those admitted) in patients with a nasopharyngeal swab positive for SARS-CoV-2 PCR visiting the ED for COVID-19-related complaints between March and September 2020. We examined the association of baseline and longitudinal evolution of radiographic edema with severity of hypoxemia and clinical outcomes. Results: 870 patients were included (median age 53.6, 50.8% female). Inter-rate agreement for RALE scores was excellent (ICC = 0.84, 95% CI 0.82 - 0.87, p < 0.0001). RALE scores correlated with hypoxemia as quantified by SpO2-FiO2 ratio (r = -0.42, p < 0.001). Admitted patients had higher RALE scores than those discharged (6 [2, 11] vs 0 [0, 3], p < 0.001). An increase of RALE score of 4 or more was associated with worse 30-day survival (p < 0.01). Larger increases in the RALE score were associated with worse survival. Conclusions: The RALE score is reproducible and easily implementable in adult patients presenting to the ED with COVID-19. Its association with physiologic parameters and outcomes at baseline and longitudinally makes it a readily available tool for prognostication and early ICU triage, particularly in patients with worsening radiographic edema.

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Correction to: Chest x-ray severity score in COVID-19 patients on emergency department admission: a two-centre study

European Radiology Experimental ◽

10.1186/s41747-021-00215-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Cristian Giuseppe Monaco ◽

Federico Zaottini ◽

Simone Schiaffino ◽

Alessandro Villa ◽

Gianmarco Della Pepa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Severity Score ◽

X Ray ◽

Emergency Department Admission ◽

Centre Study ◽

Chest X Ray

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

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Ground-glass opacity on Emergency Department chest X-ray: a risk factor for in-hospital mortality and organ failure in elderly admitted for COVID-19

Postgraduate Medicine ◽

10.1080/00325481.2021.2021741 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Noel Roig-Marín ◽

Pablo Roig-Rico

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Organ Failure ◽

Ground Glass Opacity ◽

Ground Glass ◽

X Ray ◽

Chest X Ray

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CHEST X RAY SCORE AND CLINICAL SEVERITY IN COVID-19 PATIENTS

10.36106/ijsr/2506669 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 31-32

Author(s):

Sheeba Rana ◽

Vicky Bakshi ◽

Yavini Rawat ◽

Zaid Bin Afroz

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Medical Records ◽

Scoring Systems ◽

Clinical Severity ◽

X Rays ◽

Antigen Test ◽

X Ray ◽

Classi Cation ◽

Chest X Ray ◽

Male Subjects

INTRODUCTION: Various chest X-ray scoring systems have been discovered and are employed to correlate with clinical severity, outcome and progression of diseases. With, the coronavirus outbreak, few chest radiograph classication were formulated, like the BSTI classication and the Brixia chest X-ray score. Brixia CXR scoring is used for assessing the clinical severity and outcome of COVID-19. This study aims to compare the Brixia CXR score with clinical severity of COVID-19 patients. MATERIAL& METHODS:This was a retrospective study in which medical records of patients aged 18 years or above, who tested for RTPCR or st st Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for COVID positive from 1 February 2021 to 31 July 2021 (6 months) were taken. These subjects were stratied into mild, moderate and severe patients according to the ICMR guidelines. Chest X Rays were obtained and lesions were classied according to Brixia scoring system. RESULTS: Out of these 375 patients, 123 (32.8%) were female and 252 (67.2%) were male subjects. The average brixia score was 11.12. Average Brixia CXR score for mild, moderate and severe diseased subjects were 5.23, 11.20, and 14.43 respectively. DISCUSSION:The extent of chest x-ray involvement is proportional to the clinical severity of the patient. Although, a perplexing nding was that the average Brixia score of the female subjects were slightly higher than their male counterparts in the same clinical groups. CONCLUSION: Brixia CXR score correlates well with the clinical severity of the COVID-19.

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The Hanging Chin Sign As A Mortality Predictor In Geriatric Patients At The Emergency Department: A Retrospective Cohort Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-496256/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anneloes NJ Huijgens ◽

Laurens J van Baardewijk ◽

Carolina JPW Keijsers

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Retrospective Cohort Study ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Geriatric Patients ◽

Lateral View ◽

X Ray ◽

Hospital Patients ◽

Chest X Ray

Abstract BACKGROUND: At the emergency department, there is a need for an instrument which is quick and easy to use to identify geriatric patients with the highest risk of mortality. The so- called ‘hanging chin sign’, meaning that the mandibula is seen to project over one or more ribs on the chest X-ray, could be such an instrument. This study aims to investigate whether the hanging chin sign is a predictor of mortality in geriatric patients admitted through the emergency department. METHODS: We performed an observational retrospective cohort study in a Dutch teaching hospital. Patients of ≥ 65 years who were admitted to the geriatric ward following an emergency department visit were included. The primary outcome of this study was mortality. Secondary outcomes included the length of admission, discharge destination and the reliability compared to patient-related variables and the APOP screener.RESULTS: 396 patients were included in the analysis. Mean follow up was 300 days; 207 patients (52%) died during follow up. The hanging chin sign was present in 85 patients (21%). Patients with the hanging chin sign have a significantly higher mortality risk during admission (OR 2.94 (1.61 to 5.39), p < 0.001), within 30 days (OR 2.49 (1.44 to 4.31), p = 0.001), within 90 days (OR 2.16 (1.31 to 3.56), p = 0.002) and within end of follow up (OR 2.87 (1.70 to 4.84),p < 0.001). A chest X-ray without a PA view or lateral view was also associated with mortality. This technical detail of the chest x-ray and the hanging chin sign both showed a stronger association with mortality than patient-related variables or the APOP screener. CONCLUSIONS: The hanging chin sign and other details of the chest x-ray were strong predictors of mortality in geriatric patients presenting at the emergency department. Compared to other known predictors, they seem to do even better in predicting mortality.

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Chest X-ray Utilization in Febrile Infants 60 Days or Less in the Emergency Department

10.1542/peds.147.3_meetingabstract.275-a ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Erin Bell ◽

Kristen Manto ◽

Giang Ha ◽

Nabeal Aljabban ◽

Lilia Reyes

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

X Ray ◽

Chest X Ray

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Ventilator-associated pneumonia in neonates: the role of point of care lung ultrasound

European Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1007/s00431-020-03710-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 180 (1) ◽

pp. 137-146

Author(s):

Nora Tusor ◽

Angela De Cunto ◽

Yousef Basma ◽

John L. Klein ◽

Virginie Meau-Petit

Keyword(s):

Lung Disease ◽

Chronic Lung Disease ◽

Lung Ultrasound ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Control Group ◽

Ventilator Associated Pneumonia ◽

Lung Pathology ◽

Rater Agreement ◽

X Ray ◽

Chest X Ray

AbstractNo consensus exists regarding the definition of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in neonates and reliability of chest X-ray (CXR) is low. Lung ultrasound (LU) is a potential alternative diagnostic tool. The aim was to define characteristics of VAP in our patient population and propose a multiparameter score, incorporating LU, for VAP diagnosis. Between March 25, 2018, and May 25, 2019, infants with VAP were identified. Clinical, laboratory and microbiology data were collected. CXRs and LU scans were reviewed. A multiparameter VAP score, including LU, was calculated on Day 1 and Day 3 for infants with VAP and for a control group and compared with CXR. VAP incidence was 10.47 episodes/1000 ventilator days. LU and CXR were available for 31 episodes in 21 infants with VAP, and for six episodes in five patients without VAP. On Day 1, a VAP score of > 4, and on Day 3 a score of > 5 showed sensitivity of 0.94, and area under the curve of 0.91 and 0.97, respectively. AUC for clinical information only was 0.88 and for clinical and CXR 0.85.Conclusion: The multiparameter VAP score including LU could be useful in diagnosing VAP in neonates with underlying lung pathology. What is Known:• Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is common in infants on the neonatal unit and is associated with increased use of antibiotics, prolonged ventilation and higher incidence of chronic lung disease.• Commonly used definitions of VAP are difficult to apply in neonates and interpretation of chest X-ray is challenging with poor inter-rater agreement in patients with underlying chronic lung disease. What is New:• The multiparameter VAP score combining clinical, microbiology and lung ultrasound (LU) data is predictive for VAP diagnosis in preterm infants with chronic lung disease.• LU findings of VAP in neonates showed high inter-rater agreement and included consolidated lung areas, dynamic bronchograms and pleural effusion.

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Which role for chest x-ray score in predicting the outcome in COVID-19 pneumonia?

European Radiology ◽

10.1007/s00330-020-07504-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Roberto Maroldi ◽

Paolo Rondi ◽

Giorgio Maria Agazzi ◽

Marco Ravanelli ◽

Andrea Borghesi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Outcome ◽

Scoring System ◽

Clinical Decision Making ◽

Proportional Hazards ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Lung Involvement ◽

X Ray ◽

Entire Cohort ◽

Discharged Patients ◽

Chest X Ray

Abstract Objective We aim to demonstrate that a chest X-ray (CXR) scoring system for COVID-19 patients correlates with patient outcome and has a prognostic value. Methods This retrospective study included CXRs of COVID-19 patients that reported the Brixia score, a semi-quantitative scoring system rating lung involvement from 0 to 18. The highest (H) and lowest (L) values were registered along with scores on admission (A) and end of hospitalization (E). The Brixia score was correlated with the outcome (death or discharge). Results A total of 953 patients met inclusion criteria. In total, 677/953 were discharged and 276/953 died during hospitalization. A total of 524/953 had one CXR and 429/953 had more than one CXR. H-score was significantly higher in deceased (median, 12; IQR 9–14) compared to that in discharged patients (median, 8; IQR 5–11) (p < 0.0001). In 429/953 patients with multiple CXR, A-score, L-score, and E-score were higher in deceased than in discharged patients (A-score 9 vs 8; p = 0.039; L-score 7 vs 5; p < 0.0003; E-score 12 vs 7; p < 0.0001). In the entire cohort, logistic regression showed a significant predictive value for age (p < 0.0001, OR 1.13), H-score (p < 0.0001, OR 1.25), and gender (p = 0.01, male OR 1.67). AUC was 0.863. In patients with ≥ 2 CXR, A-, L-, and E-scores correlated significantly with the outcome. Cox proportional hazards regression indicated age (p < 0.0001, HR 4.17), H-score (< 9, HR 0.36, p = 0.0012), and worsening of H-score vs A score > 3 (HR 1.57, p = 0.0227) as associated with worse outcome. Conclusions The Brixia score correlates strongly with disease severity and outcome; it may support the clinical decision-making, particularly in patients with moderate-to-severe signs and symptoms. The Brixia score should be incorporated in a prognostic model, which would be desirable, particularly in resource-constraint scenarios. Key Points • To demonstrate the importance of the Brixia score in assessing and monitoring COVID-19 lung involvement. • The Brixia score strongly correlates with patient outcome and can be easily implemented in the routine reporting of CXR.

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Early clinical predictors of severe acute respiratory syndrome in the emergency department

CJEM ◽

10.1017/s148180350000885x ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 6 (01) ◽

pp. 12-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

W.N. Wong ◽

Antonio C.H. Sek ◽

Rick F.L. Lau ◽

K.M. Li ◽

Joe K.S. Leung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Lymphocyte Count ◽

Case Definition ◽

World Health ◽

Clinical Predictors ◽

X Ray ◽

Abnormal Chest ◽

Contact Exposure ◽

Chest X Ray

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess the association of diagnostic predictors available in the emergency department (ED) with the outcome diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Methods: This retrospective cohort study describes all patients from the Amoy Garden complex who presented to an ED SARS screening clinic during a 2-month outbreak. Clinical and diagnostic predictors were recorded, along with ED diagnoses. Final diagnoses were established independently based on diagnostic tests performed after the ED visit. Associations of key predictors with the final diagnosis of SARS were described. Results: Of 821 patients, 205 had confirmed SARS, 35 undetermined SARS and 581 non-SARS. Multivariable logistic regression showed that the strongest predictors of SARS were abnormal chest x-ray (odds ratio [OR] = 17.4), subjective fever (OR = 9.7), temperature >38°C (OR = 6.4), myalgias (OR = 5.5), chills and rigors (OR = 4.0) and contact exposure (OR = 2.6). In a subset of 176 patients who had a complete blood cell count performed, the strongest predictors were temperature ≥38ºC (OR = 15.5), lymphocyte count <1000 (OR = 9.3) and abnormal chest x-ray (OR = 5.7). Diarrhea was a powerful negative predictor (OR = 0.03) of SARS. Conclusions: Two components of the World Health Organization case definition — fever and contact exposure — are helpful for ED decision-making, but respiratory symptoms do not discriminate well between SARS and non-SARS. Emergency physicians should consider the presence of diarrhea, chest x-ray findings, the absolute lymphocyte count and the platelet count as significant modifiers of disease likelihood. Prospective validation of these findings in other clinical settings is desirable.

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