Abstract 15082: Repolarization Vulnerability is Rarely Observed in COVID-19 Patients With Low Comorbidity Treated With a Combination of Hydroxychloroquine Azithromycin

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
David E Goldgrab ◽  
Sokol Kalaveshi ◽  
Ruifang Yang ◽  
Mauricio Gomez ◽  
Jearim Craig ◽  
...  

Background: Global pandemic of COVID-19 has attracted a number of proposed treatment therapies. Hydroxychloroquine/Azithromycin (HA) combination has been reported to potentially affect repolarization by prolonging the QTc and causing torsades de pointes (TdP). Methods: We prospectively followed hospitalized patients with PCR confirmed COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine was administered 400mg twice daily on day 1 and daily for the last 4 days plus daily Azithromycin 250mg. QTc interval was measured via 12 lead ECG prior to initiation of therapy, 3 hours post second dose of hydroxychloroquine, and subsequent daily QTc evaluation via telemetry. Potassium and magnesium were checked daily and replaced accordingly. QTc prolonging medications were discontinued when possible. Results: Sixteen patients were followed for 5 days, 56% were male with average age of 67. Comorbidities were 31% coronary artery disease, 31% diabetes mellitus, 13% congestive heart failure, 69% hypertension, 19% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 25% atrial fibrillation, and average BMI of 29. Average Tisdale score was 11/21. Mean QTc prior to HA therapy was 442 ms, 3 hours post second dose 429 ms and on day 5 was 441 ms with a change of (-)3ms compared to prior starting therapy as seen in figures below. Fifteen patients recovered and 1 patient expired. Twenty five percent of patients required ET intubation and mechanical ventilation. Zero patients required stopping of HA therapy. Only 1 patient required 2 extra days of QTc monitoring due to 5th day QTc being 504ms. Conclusion In acutely infected COVID-19 patients with limited comorbidities, repolarization/risk for TdP appears to be low in the presence of HA. With close monitoring and the right patient population, this combination therapy for short term treatment appears to be safe in regards to QTc and the risk for TdP. Although larger published studies have shown repolarization risk, we did not find that to be the case in our relatively healthy population.

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65
Author(s):  
Samah Alshehri ◽  
Mai Alalawi ◽  
Abdulrahman Makeen ◽  
Ammar Jad ◽  
Ahmed Alhuwaysi ◽  
...  

Background: The administration of systemic corticosteroids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation is the first line of management. The duration of this administration, however, is not well established in clinical practice. The objective of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes between short-term and long-term corticosteroid use in the acute exacerbation of COPD patients. Methods: A single-centre, retrospective cohort study was conducted. From 2014 to 2018, all patients over 40 years old with COPD who were admitted to the hospital with a case of COPD exacerbation and received systemic corticosteroids at presentation were included. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the duration of systemic corticosteroid therapy. The primary outcome was hospital re-admission within 180 days. The secondary outcomes were 30 days mortality and length of hospitalisation. The two groups were compared using an independent sample t-test, a Chi-square test, and a Mann-Whitney U test, according to the data type. Results: Eighty patients met the inclusion criteria. A total of 52 (65%) patients completed long-term therapy, while 28 (35%) patients were on short-term treatment. A total of 15 (28.8%) patients reached the primary endpoint in the long-term treatment group versus 19 (67.9%) in the short-term treatment group (P = 0.001). The 30-day mortality was 4 (7.7%) and 0 (0%), respectively, and the median length of hospitalisation was 6.5 and 7.5 days in the long-term group and short-term group, respectively (P = 0.32, P = 0.88). Conclusion: Long-term corticosteroid use in the management of acute COPD exacerbation was significantly associated with fewer 180 days re-admission. The duration of corticosteroid use remains controversial, and further studies are recommended to assess the relationship between patient profile and adherence to therapy post-discharge with re-exacerbation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. e232535
Author(s):  
Natasha Hemicke Langer ◽  
Lars Hein ◽  
Morten Heiberg Bestle

A 49-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was hospitalised due to pneumonia and pulmonary embolisms. After subsequently developing septic shock and acute renal failure, he required dialysis. A haemodialysis catheter was planned inserted into the right subclavian vein, the guidewire was introduced using the Seldinger technique. When the guidewire’s 20 cm marker entered the introducer needle, it suddenly encountered resistance. Repeated attempts to remove the guidewire failed. Vital signs and haemodynamic parameters remained unchanged throughout the procedure. CT angiography revealed cranial displacement of the wire into the right internal jugular vein, with the tip of the wire just cranial to the jugular foramen in the right sigmoid sinus. Interventional radiological removal attempts were unsuccessful. Thoracic and neurosurgical interventions were considered impossible and the guidewire was left in place. Due to the pulmonary embolism and the foreign object in the patient, life-long anticoagulation was considered, with close monitoring of compliance with the patient’s comorbidity and medication.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinay Bajaj ◽  
Francisco Benavides ◽  
Jay Fisher

Abstract An 81-year-old male with a history of poorly controlled congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atrial fibrillation among other comorbidities was admitted to the hospital for worsening bilateral leg swelling and cellulitis. The patient had an injury to his left medial malleolus 2 weeks prior, which failed outpatient care. During the physical exam, a soft mobile mass was palpated in the right popliteal fossa along with bilateral varicose veins, +1 pitting edema in bilateral lower extremities up to mid-calf. Duplex ultrasound revealed a saccular dilation in the right popliteal vein measuring 2.2 × 1.8 × 2.8 cm, without any evidence of superficial or deep vein thrombosis. After an extended conversation with the patient and his care team, a decision to continue with medical management with close monitoring was made. Follow-up ultrasounds performed at 1, 6 and 12 months show no changes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (8) ◽  
pp. 1491-1493
Author(s):  
Viktor P. Boriak ◽  
Svitlana V. Shut’ ◽  
Tetiana A. Trybrat ◽  
Olena V. Filatova

Introduction: In recent years, COPD is observed as not an isolated, but an associated pathology, in particular, concurrent with metabolic syndrome. The aim of the research is to identify the differences in changes of the rheopulmonography parameters (RPG) depending on the presence of hypertrophy or atrophy of the right ventricular myocardium in patients with COPD concurrent with metabolic syndrome.. Materials and methods: We studied changes in rheopulmonography (RPG) in 145 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) concurrent with metabolic syndrome. Results: We detected precapillary hypertension of the pulmonary circulation in patients with right ventricular myocardial hypertrophy: anacrotism serration; flattened peak of the systolic wave; decreased Vcp; high placement of incisura; horizontal course of catacrotism; decreased amplitude of the systolic wave (in this case, due to a greater increase in the resistance of the blood flow in the pulmonary vessels than the decreased impact volume of the right ventricle); prolonged Q-a (in this group of patients, it depends more on hypertension of the pulmonary circulation than on the reduction of contractile function of the myocardium). In atrophy of the right ventricular myocardium, the following changes in the RPG were revealed: decreased systolic wave at its dramatic rise; prolonged Q-a (in this case, due to the weakened heart contraction); Vmax reduction (it reflects the reduction of myocardial contractility); in hypertrophy of the myocardium, Vcp., unlike RPG, does not decrease, which is explained by the decrease in the pressure of the pulmonary circulation. Conclusions: We believe that these changes in RPG allow differentiating hypertrophy and right ventricular myocardial atrophy along with established diagnostic criteria, and can be used as markers for the diagnosis and treatment of COPD concurrent with metabolic syndrome.


Author(s):  
Emmanuel Peprah ◽  
Mari Armstrong-Hough ◽  
Stephanie H. Cook ◽  
Barbara Mukasa ◽  
Jacquelyn Y. Taylor ◽  
...  

Background: African countries have the highest number of people living with HIV (PWH). The continent is home to 12% of the global population, but accounts for 71% of PWH globally. Antiretroviral therapy has played an important role in the reduction of the morbidity and mortality rates for HIV, which necessitates increased surveillance of the threats from pernicious risks to which PWH who live longer remain exposed. This includes cardiopulmonary comorbidities, which pose significant public health and economic challenges. A significant contributor to the cardiopulmonary comorbidities is tobacco smoking. Indeed, globally, PWH have a 2–4-fold higher utilization of tobacco compared to the general population, leading to endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis that result in cardiopulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease. In the context of PWH, we discuss (1) the current trends in cigarette smoking and (2) the lack of geographically relevant data on the cardiopulmonary conditions associated with smoking; we then review (3) the current evidence on chronic inflammation induced by smoking and the potential pathways for cardiopulmonary disease and (4) the multifactorial nature of the syndemic of smoking, HIV, and cardiopulmonary diseases. This commentary calls for a major, multi-setting cohort study using a syndemics framework to assess cardiopulmonary disease outcomes among PWH who smoke. Conclusion: We call for a parallel program of implementation research to promote the adoption of evidence-based interventions, which could improve health outcomes for PWH with cardiopulmonary diseases and address the health inequities experienced by PWH in African countries.


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