scholarly journals High-value laboratory testing for hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a review

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 691-705
Author(s):  
Daniela Cihakova ◽  
Michael B Streiff ◽  
Steven P Menez ◽  
Teresa K Chen ◽  
Nisha A Gilotra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Troponin ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Absolute Lymphocyte Count ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Test Use ◽  
Elevated Lactate ◽  
D Dimer

We present here an evidence-based review of the utility, timing, and indications for laboratory test use in the domains of inflammation, cardiology, hematology, nephrology and co-infection for clinicians managing the care of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Levels of IL-6, CRP, absolute lymphocyte count, neutrophils and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio obtained upon admission may help predict the severity of COVID-19. Elevated lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, aspartate aminotransferase, and ᴅ-dimer are associated with severe illness and mortality. Elevated cardiac troponin at hospital admission can alert clinicians to patients at risk for cardiac complications. Elevated proBNP may help distinguish a cardiac complication from noncardiac etiologies. Evaluation for co-infection is typically unnecessary in nonsevere cases but is essential in severe COVID-19, intensive care unit patients, and immunocompromised patients.

scholarly journals »Point-of-Care« D-Dimer Testing

2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 282-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jovan Antović
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
The Other ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Laboratory Assay

»Point-of-Care« D-Dimer TestingD-dimer testing is efficient in the exclusion of venous thromboembolism (VTE). D-dimer laboratory assays are predominantly performed in centralised laboratories in intra-hospital settings although most patients with suspected VTE are presented in primary care. On the other hand decreasing turnaround time for laboratory testing may significantly improve efficacy in emergency departments. Therefore an introduction of a rapid, easy to perform point of care (POC) assay for the identification of D-dimer may offer improvement in diagnostics flow of VTE both in primary care and emergency departments while it could also improve our diagnostic possibilities in some other severe clinical conditions (e.g. disseminated intra-vascular coagulation (DIC) and aortic aneurism (AA)) associated with increased D-dimer. Several POC D-dimer assays have been evaluated and majority of them have met the criteria for rapid and safe exclusion of VTE. In our hands three assays (Stratus, Pathfast and Cardiac) have the laboratory performance profile comparable with our routine D-dimer laboratory assay (Tinaqaunt).

scholarly journals Basic Predictive Risk Factors for Cytokine Storms in COVID-19 Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey G. Shcherbak ◽  
Anna Yu Anisenkova ◽  
Sergei V. Mosenko ◽  
Oleg S. Glotov ◽  
Alexander N. Chernov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Lymphocyte Count ◽  
Absolute Lymphocyte Count ◽  
Early Warning Score ◽  
Positive Test ◽  
City Hospital ◽  
Cytokine Storm ◽  
Positive Test Result ◽  
Test Result ◽  
D Dimer

ObjectiveA critical role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathogenesis is played by immune dysregulation that leads to a generalized uncontrolled multisystem inflammatory response, caused by overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines, known as “a cytokine storm” (CS), strongly associated with a severe course of disease. The aim of this study is to identify prognostic biomarkers for CS development in COVID-19 patients and integrate them into a prognostic score for CS-associated risk applicable to routine clinical practice.Materials and MethodsThe authors performed a review of 458 medical records from COVID-19 patients (241 men and 217 women aged 60.0 ± 10.0) who received treatment in the St. Petersburg State Budgetary Institution of Healthcare City Hospital 40 (City Hospital 40, St. Petersburg), from Apr. 18, 2020 to Nov. 21, 2020. The patients were split in two groups: one group included 100 patients with moderate disease symptoms; the other group included 358 patients with progressive moderately severe, severe, and extremely severe disease. The National Early Warning Score (NEWS) score was used alongside with clinical assessment, chest computed tomographic (CT) scans, electrocardiography (ECG), and lab tests, like ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and D-dimer.ResultsThe basic risk factors for cytokine storms in COVID-19 patients are male gender, age over 40 years, positive test result for replicative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA, absolute lymphocyte count, dynamics in the NEWS score, as well as LDH, D-dimer, ferritin, and IL-6 levels. These clinical and instrumental findings can be also used as laboratory biomarkers for diagnosis and dynamic monitoring of cytokine storms. The suggested prognostic scale (including the NEWS score dynamics; serum IL-6 greater than 23 pg/ml; serum CRP 50 mg/L or greater; absolute lymphocyte count less than 0.72 × 109/L; positive test result for replicative coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) RNA; age 40 years and over) is a useful tool to identify patients at a high risk for cytokine storm, requiring an early onset of anti-inflammatory therapy.

scholarly journals Evidence-Based Case Report: The Use of D-Dimer Assay to Exclude Left Atrial Thrombus in Patient with Atrial Fibrillation >48 Hours

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Pranata ◽  
Emir Yonas ◽  
Veresa Chintya ◽  
Alexander Edo Tondas ◽  
Sunu Budhi Raharjo
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Left Atrial Thrombus ◽  
Atrial Thrombus ◽  
D Dimer

scholarly journals Stroke-Like Episodes in PMM2-CDG: When the Lack of Other Evidence Is the Only Evidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Serrano
Keyword(s):  
Cerebellar Atrophy ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Cerebrovascular Events ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Management Recommendations ◽  
Impaired Quality ◽  
Rule Out

Phosphomannomutase 2 deficiency (PMM2-CDG) is the most frequent congenital disorder of glycosylation. PMM2-CDG patients develop chronic cerebellar atrophy as a neurological hallmark. However, other acute neurological phenomena such as stroke-like episodes (SLE), epilepsy, migraine, and cerebrovascular events, may also occur, and they are frequently the cause of disability and impaired quality of life. Among these, SLE are among the most stressful situations for families and doctors, as their risk factors are not known, their underlying pathomechanisms remain undiscovered, and clinical guidelines for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment are lacking. In this paper, the recent SLE experiences of two PMM2-CDG patients are examined to provide clinical clues to help improve diagnosis through a clinical constellation of symptoms and a clinical definition, but also to support a neuroelectrical hypothesis as an underlying mechanism. An up-to-date literature review will help to identify evidence-based and non-evidence-based management recommendations. Presently neuropediatricians and neurologists are not capable of diagnosing stroke-like episodes in an unequivocal way, so there is still a need to perform invasive studies (to rule out other acute diseases) that may, in the end, prove unnecessary or even harmful. However, reaching a correct and early diagnosis would lead not only to avoidance of invasive tests but also to better recognition, management, and understanding of the disease itself. There is a great need for understanding of SLE that may ultimately be very informative for the detection of patients at risk, and the future development of preventive and management measures.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Omidi ◽  
Bahareh Hajikhani ◽  
Seyyedeh Neda Kazemi ◽  
Ardeshir Tajbakhsh ◽  
Sajedeh Riazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Cardiac Injury ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Cardiac Damage ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Lv Dysfunction ◽  
D Dimer

Background: Cardiomyopathies (CMPs) due to myocytes involvement are among the leading causes of sudden adolescent death and heart failure. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there are limited data available on cardiac complications in patients with COVID-19, leading to severe outcomes.Methods: We conducted a systematic search in Pubmed/Medline, Web of Science, and Embase databases up to August 2020, for all relevant studies about COVID-19 and CMPs.Results: A total of 29 articles with a total number of 1460 patients were included. Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and ischemic heart disease were the most reported comorbidities among patients with COVID-19 and cardiomyopathy. In the laboratory findings, 21.47% of patients had increased levels of troponin. Raised D-dimer levels were also reported in all of the patients. Echocardiographic results revealed mild, moderate, and severe Left Ventricular (LV) dysfunction present in 17.13, 11.87, and 10% of patients, respectively.Conclusions: Cardiac injury and CMPs were common conditions in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, it is suggested that cardiac damage be considered in managing patients with COVID-19.

New coronavirus infection, hemostasis and heparin dosing problems: It is important to say now

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
А.Ю. Буланов ◽  
Е.В. Ройтман
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Low Molecular Weight Heparins ◽  
Heparin Resistance ◽  
Hospital Patients ◽  
Expert’S Opinion ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
Based Medicine ◽  
D Dimer

В отсутствие достаточной базы доказательной медицины самым ценным становится мнение экспертов, опирающихся на свой опыт и опыт коллег. COVID-19-ассоциированная коагулопатия имеет характер тромбовоспаления. Назначение гепаринов — нефракционированного или, главным образом, низкомолекулярного (НМГ) призвано преодолеть его, поскольку гепарин обладает не только антикоагулянтным эффектом, но и оказывает непрямое и прямое противовоспалительное дейст вие. Поэтому назначение НМГ как минимум в профилактических дозах показано всем госпитализированным пациентам. Система гемостаза у пациентов с COVID-19, прежде всего у тяжелых, требует лабораторной оценки количества тромбоцитов, содержания Д-димера, протромбинового отношения или процентов протромбина по Квику и концентрации фибриногена. Анализ данных показал, что своеобразие коронавирусного гемостаза формирует гиперфибриногенемия, которая становится явным фактором гепаринорезистентности. Для преодоления последней назначение увеличенных (промежуточных или лечебных) доз НМГ выглядит перспективным решением. Достаточность назначения уместно определить либо по анти- Ха активности или (как экспресс-оценка) по тромбоэластрограмме. In the absence of a suffi cient base of evidence-based medicine, the most valuable becomes the expert’s opinion as a mirror of both personal and collegial experience. COVID-19-associated coagulopathy has a character of a thromboinfl ammation. The heparins — unfractionated or mainly low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) are intended to overcome it, since heparins have not only an anticoagulant effect but both an indirect and direct anti-infl ammatory effects as well. So that LMWH are indicated for all in-hospital patients. Patients with COVID-19, especially in severe cases, require laboratory testing of platelet count, D-dimer, prothrombin ratio or prothrombin percents by Quick and fi brinogen. Data analysis showed that a feature of coronavirus hemostasis is hyperfibrinogenemia that becomes an overt factor for heparin resistance. To overcome the latter, an adjusting doses of LMWH toward intermediate or therapeutic looks like a promising way. The suffi ciency of the adjusted LMWH dose is appropriate determining either with anti- Xa activity or thromboelastographically as express testing. Key words: hemostasis, COVID-19-associated coagulopathy, fibrinogen, low molecular weight heparins

scholarly journals P142: Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the Canadian context: clinical review findings from a health technology assessment

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S107-S107
Author(s):  
A. Sinclair ◽  
K. Peprah ◽  
T. Quay ◽  
S. Mulla ◽  
L. Weeks
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Diagnostic Imaging ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Clinical Prediction ◽  
Prediction Rules ◽  
Canadian Context ◽  
D Dimer

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a diagnostic challenge, since it shares symptoms with other conditions. Missed diagnosis puts patients at a risk of a potentially fatal outcome, while false positive results leave them at risk of side effects (bleeding) from unnecessary treatment. Diagnosis involves a multi-step pathway consisting of clinical prediction rules (CPRs), laboratory testing, and diagnostic imaging, but the best strategy in the Canadian context is unclear. Methods: We carried out a systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy, clinical utility, and safety of diagnostic pathways, CPRs, and diagnostic imaging for the diagnosis of PE. Clinical prediction rules were studied by an overview of systematic reviews, and pathways and diagnostic imaging by a primary systematic review. Where feasible, a diagnostic test meta-analysis was conducted, with statistical adjustment for the use of variable and imperfect reference standards across studies. Results: The Wells CPR rule showed greater specificity than the Geneva, but the relative sensitivities were undetermined. Application of a CPR followed by with D-dimer laboratory testing can safely rule out PE. In diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis, computed tomography (CT) (sensitivity 0.973, 95% CrI 0.921 to 1.00) and ventilation/perfusion single-photon emission CT (VQ-SPECT) (sensitivity 0.974, 95% CrI 0.898 to 1.00) had the highest sensitivity) and CT the highest specificity (0.987, 95% CrI 0.958 to 1.00). VQ and VQ-SPECT had a higher proportion of indeterminate studies, while VQ and VQ-SPECT involved lower radiation exposure than CT. Conclusion: CPR and D-dimer testing can be used to avoid unnecessary imaging. CT is the most accurate single modality, but radiation risk must be assessed. These findings, in conjunction with a recent health technology assessment, may help to inform clinical practice and guidelines.

Patient Safety in Microvascular Plastic Surgery

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (09) ◽  
pp. 631-639
Author(s):  
Salih Colakoglu ◽  
Seth Tebockhorst ◽  
Tae W. Chong ◽  
David W. Mathes
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Surgical Team ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Prophylactic Measures ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Preventable Harm

Patient safety is defined as freedom from accidental or preventable harm produced by medical care. The identification of patient- and procedure-related risk factors enables the surgical team to carry out prophylactic measures to reduce the rate of complications and adverse events.The purpose of this review is to identify the characteristics of patients, practitioners, and microvascular surgical procedures that place patients at risk for preventable harm, and to discuss evidence-based prevention practices that can potentially help to generate a culture of patient safety.

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