264 Cardiac and pulmonary sequelae after COVID-19 pneumonia: a case series

Aims Although the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) may cause an acute multiorgan syndrome (COVID-19), data are emerging on mid- and long-term sequelae of COVID-19 pneumonia. Since no study has hitherto investigated the role of both cardiac and pulmonary ultrasound techniques in detecting such sequelae, this study aimed at evaluating these simple diagnostic tools to appraise the cardiopulmonary involvement occurring after COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods and results Twenty-nine patients fully recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia were considered at our centre. On admission, all patients underwent 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) evaluation. Compression ultrasound (CUS) and lung ultrasound (LUS) were also performed. Finally, in each patient, pathological findings detected on LUS were correlated with the pulmonary involvement occurring after COVID-19 pneumonia as assessed on thoracic computed tomography (CT). Out of 29 patients (mean age 70 ± 10 years old; M 69%), prior cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbidities were recorded in 22 (76%). Twenty-seven patients (93%) were in sinus rhythm and two (7%) in atrial fibrillation. ECG repolarization abnormalities were extremely common (93%) and reflected the high prevalence of pericardial involvement on TTE (86%). Likewise, pleural abnormalities were frequently observed (66%). TTE signs of left and right ventricular dysfunction were reported in two patients only, but values of systolic pulmonary artery pressure were abnormal in 16 (55%) despite absence of prior comorbidities in 44% of them. Regarding LUS evaluation, most patients displayed abnormal values of diaphragmatic thickness and excursion (93%) which well correlated with the high prevalence (76%) of on pathological findings on CT scan. CUS ruled out deep vein thrombosis in all patients. Conclusions Data on cardiopulmonary sequelae after COVID-19 pneumonia are scarce. In our study, simple diagnostic tools (TTE and LUS) proved clinically useful for detection of cardiopulmonary involvement after COVID-19 pneumonia.

Combined Use of Electrocardiography and Ultrasound to Detect Cardiac and Pulmonary Involvement after Recovery from COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Case Series

Background: Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) may cause an acute multiorgan syndrome (coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)), data are emerging on mid- and long-term sequelae of COVID-19 pneumonia. Since no study has hitherto investigated the role of both cardiac and pulmonary ultrasound techniques in detecting such sequelae, this study aimed at evaluating these simple diagnostic tools to appraise the cardiopulmonary involvement after COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: Twenty-nine patients fully recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia were considered at our centre. On admission, all patients underwent 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) evaluation. Compression ultrasound (CUS) and lung ultrasound (LUS) were also performed. Finally, in each patient, pathological findings detected on LUS were correlated with the pulmonary involvement occurring after COVID-19 pneumonia, as assessed on thoracic computed tomography (CT). Results: Out of 29 patients (mean age 70 ± 10 years; males 69%), prior cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbidities were recorded in 22 (76%). Twenty-seven patients (93%) were in sinus rhythm and two (7%) in atrial fibrillation. Persistence of ECG abnormalities from the acute phase was common, and nonspecific repolarisation abnormalities (93%) reflected the high prevalence of pericardial involvement on TTE (86%). Likewise, pleural abnormalities were frequently observed (66%). TTE signs of left and right ventricular dysfunction were reported in two patients, and values of systolic pulmonary artery pressure were abnormal in 16 (55%, despite the absence of prior comorbidities in 44% of them). Regarding LUS evaluation, most patients displayed abnormal values of diaphragmatic thickness and excursion (93%), which correlated well with the high prevalence (76%) of pathological findings on CT scan. CUS ruled out deep vein thrombosis in all patients. Conclusions: Data on cardiopulmonary involvement after COVID-19 pneumonia are scarce. In our study, simple diagnostic tools (TTE and LUS) proved clinically useful for the detection of cardiopulmonary complications after COVID-19 pneumonia.

Pocket-size ultrasound devices may improve the prompt assessment of Covid-19 patients

Introduction Clinical usefulness of pocket-size ultrasound device [PSUD] was previously confirmed in numerous clinical scenarios. During the previous year Covid-19 patients have become a focal point of the cardiology and internal medicine wards. However, there is no data on the use of PSUD in this scenario. Purpose To asses if PSUD may be useful in providing additional information in Covid-19 patients. Methods In 63 patients (41 men, mean age 63±11) with confirmed Covid-19 the scope of physical examination was expanded with bedside assessment performed with PSUD equipped with dual probe. PSUD examination included: right ventricle measurement, automated LVEF assessment, 4-point compression ultrasound test of lower limbs and lung ultrasound (presence of B-lines, lung consolidations or thickening of pleura). Subsequently, within the next 24 hours all patients underwent chest CT scan, CT pulmonary angiogram and full echocardiographic examination performed on a high-end stationary device. Results Lung lesions typical for Covid-19 were confirmed in CT in 53 (84%) patients. The sensitivity and specificity of bedside PSUD examination for diagnosing lung involvement was 92% and 90%, respectively, when presence of any pathology on lung ultrasound was considered as a positive criterion. Increased number of B-lines had a sensitivity of 81%, specificity 83% for the ground glass symptom in CT detection, (AUC 0,82; p<0,0001). Pleural thickening was diagnosed by PSUD with a 95% sensitivity and 88% specificity (AUC 0,91, p<0,0001), whereas lung consolidations with a 71% sensitivity and 86% specificity (AUC 0,79, p<0,0001). In 20 patients (32%) pulmonary embolism was confirmed by angioCT – in 10 among them embolism was limited to subsegmental arteries. RV was found to be dilated in PSUD examination in 27 patients (43%), CUS was positive in 1 patient. Thus, RV enlargement treated as a marker of PE had low sensitivity and specificity (60% i 65% respectively), AUC=0,62, p=0,06. Mean LVEF in standard echocardiography was 46±12%, but during PSUD examination automated LV function analysis software failed to calculate LVEF in 29 (46%) cases due to suboptimal image quality. Conclusion In Covid-19 patients PSUD is particularly useful for lung ultrasound and the detection of lung pathologies. RV enlargement observed during PSUD examination has relatively low sensitivity and specificity for the detection of pulmonary embolism in Covid-19. Furthermore, due to low quality of images automated LV function assessment failed to provide any result in almost half of patients. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Non-invasive diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis from ultrasound imaging with machine learning

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot most commonly found in the leg, which can lead to fatal pulmonary embolism (PE). Compression ultrasound of the legs is the diagnostic gold standard, leading to a definitive diagnosis. However, many patients with possible symptoms are not found to have a DVT, resulting in long referral waiting times for patients and a large clinical burden for specialists. Thus, diagnosis at the point of care by non-specialists is desired. We collect images in a pre-clinical study and investigate a deep learning approach for the automatic interpretation of compression ultrasound images. Our method provides guidance for free-hand ultrasound and aids non-specialists in detecting DVT. We train a deep learning algorithm on ultrasound videos from 255 volunteers and evaluate on a sample size of 53 prospectively enrolled patients from an NHS DVT diagnostic clinic and 30 prospectively enrolled patients from a German DVT clinic. Algorithmic DVT diagnosis performance results in a sensitivity within a 95% CI range of (0.82, 0.94), specificity of (0.70, 0.82), a positive predictive value of (0.65, 0.89), and a negative predictive value of (0.99, 1.00) when compared to the clinical gold standard. To assess the potential benefits of this technology in healthcare we evaluate the entire clinical DVT decision algorithm and provide cost analysis when integrating our approach into diagnostic pathways for DVT. Our approach is estimated to generate a positive net monetary benefit at costs up to £72 to £175 per software-supported examination, assuming a willingness to pay of £20,000/QALY.

Delay between clinical presentation and treatment of deep venous thrombosis in the lower limbs and regression of thrombosis

Introduction The objective was to investigate the delay between the onset of DVT symptoms and start of anticoagulation in common practice, assess whether this has any impact on the recanalization of venous thrombosis over one year follow up. Methods A prospective observational study on 76 consecutive patients (39 men, 51.3%) with DVT diagnosed using compression ultrasound (CUS). Timing was classified as very early treatment ≤72 hours, early treatment ˂7 days and late treatment ≥7 days from onset of symptoms. Further development of the disease was monitored by CUS in scheduled visits 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the start of treatment. Results Mean delay from symptom onset to the start of anticoagulation was 11.1 days (median 7 days, range 1-42 days) with significant difference (p˂0.05) between proximal (12.9 days, median 30 days) and distal DVT (6.5 days, median 2 days). In less than 25% of all patients, with both proximal and distal DVT, treatment was started very early (≤72 hours), 40 patients (52.6%) received late treatment ≥7 days. There was a positive correlation between delay, average time of complete recanalization (≤72 hours 4.2 months, ≥7 days 5.3 months, p˂0.05) and rate of incomplete recanalization (≤72 hours 7.3%, ≥7 days 30.9%, p˂0.01) in proximal DVT, not in distal DVT. Conclusions There was a delay of ≥7 days in treating in more than half of our patients. The mean interval between clinical onset and start of treatment was significantly shorter and a delay ≥7 days significantly less frequent in patients with distal DVT compared to patients with proximal DVT. A very significant positive correlation between delay in treatment and rate of incomplete recanalization of proximal and distal thrombosis indicates that delayed anticoagulation could be a signal risk factor for the incomplete recanalization and development of PTS.

Deep vein thrombosis in pregnancy

Venous thrombotic events (VTE) prevalence is estimated to be 1-2 for every 10,000 pregnancies, making it one of main causes of maternal mortality in developed countries. VTE’s leading risk factors are history of the condition and hereditary thrombophilia. D-dimer tests conducted during pregnancies have in many cases led to false positive results while a few false negatives have also been found. For pregnant women, it is important for evaluation to begin with compression ultrasound before magnetic resonance imaging, which seeks a negative test and focuses on the pelvis. On the other hand, a chest x-ray should be done for pulmonary embolism, which helps in deciding between a CT pulmonary angiogram and perfusion study for normal and abnormal x-ray, respectively. Generally, treatment is composed of heparin of low molecular weight for at least six weeks after childbirth. Thrombolysis can be significant for life-threatening and serious thrombolysis. For populations at high risk, VTE prophylaxis still faces a lot of uncertainty. In fact, there is still little evidence to support the essence of mechanical prophylaxis for all women who have delivered through cesarean.

Cost-minimization modeling of venous thromboembolism diagnostics: performing limited compression ultrasound in primary health care reduces costs compared to referring patients to a hospital

Background The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether diagnosing a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in primary health care using limited compression ultrasound (LCUS) can save resources compared to referring these patients to hospital. According to the current literature, LCUS is as safe as a standard protocol based on a whole-leg ultrasound (US). Methods We created a standardized patient for this cost-analysis model based on 76 patients that were referred to hospital for a suspected DVT. Travel distance to the health care centre and hospital was calculated based on the home address. Hospital costs were acquired from the hospital price list and Finnish legislation. Time spent in the hospital was retrieved from hospital statistics. Time spent in the health care centre and travelling were estimated and monetized based on average salary. The cost of participating physicians attending a US training course was estimated based on the national average salary of a general practitioner as well as the course participation fee. A cost-minimization modeling was performed for this standardized patient comparing the total costs, including private and public costs, of standard and LCUS strategies. Results The total costs per patient of standard and LCUS pathways were 1151.52€ and 301.94€ [difference 849.59€ (95% CI 800.21€–898.97€, p < 0.001)], respectively. The real-life costs of these strategies, considering that some patients are probably referred to hospital every year and including training costs, are 1151.53€ and 508.69€ [difference 642.84€ (95% CI 541.85€–743.82€)], respectively. Conclusion Using LCUS in diagnosing DVT in primary health care instead of referring these patients to the hospital is shown to save a significant amount of public and private resources.

Incidence of deep vein thrombosis through an ultrasound surveillance protocol in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in non-ICU setting: A multicenter prospective study

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs, using serial compression ultrasound (CUS) surveillance, in acutely ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to a non-ICU setting. Methods Multicenter, prospective study of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to Internal Medicine units. All patients were screened for DVT of the lower limbs with serial CUS. Anticoagulation was defined as: low dose (enoxaparin 20–40 mg/day or fondaparinux 1.5–2.5 mg/day); intermediate dose (enoxaparin 60–80 mg/day); high dose (enoxaparin 120–160 mg or fondaparinux 5–10 mg/day or oral anticoagulation). The primary end-point of the study was the diagnosis of DVT by CUS. Results Over a two-month period, 227 consecutive patients with moderate-severe COVID-19 pneumonia were enrolled. The incidence of DVT was 13.7% (6.2% proximal, 7.5% distal), mostly asymptomatic. All patients received anticoagulation (enoxaparin 95.6%) at the following doses: low 57.3%, intermediate 22.9%, high 19.8%. Patients with and without DVT had similar characteristics, and no difference in anticoagulant regimen was observed. DVT patients were older (mean 77±9.6 vs 71±13.1 years; p = 0.042) and had higher peak D-dimer levels (5403 vs 1723 ng/mL; p = 0.004). At ROC analysis peak D-dimer level >2000 ng/mL (AUC 0.703; 95% CI 0.572–0.834; p = 0.004) was the most accurate cut-off value able to predict DVT (RR 3.74; 95%CI 1.27–10, p = 0.016). Conclusions The incidence of DVT in acutely ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia is relevant. A surveillance protocol by serial CUS of the lower limbs is useful to timely identify DVT that would go otherwise largely undetected.

Community-Onset Venous Thromboembolism in Children: Pediatric Emergency Medicine Perspectives

Pediatric venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition increasingly encountered by emergency medicine physicians. Unfortunately, despite increased incidence, the diagnosis of pediatric VTE relies on a high index of suspicion from clinicians. Delays in diagnosis and initiation of treatment can lead to poor outcomes in children, including an increased risk of mortality from pulmonary embolism, increased risk of VTE recurrence, and the development of the post-thrombotic syndrome. The majority of pediatric VTE events are associated with the presence of at least one underlying prothrombotic risk. Timely recognition of these risk factors in the emergency department (ED) setting is paramount for a prompt diagnosis and treatment initiation. Compared with children with hospital-acquired VTE, children presenting to the ED with new onset VTE tend to be older (>11 years of age), have a lower incidence of co-morbidities, and present more frequently with a deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity. Currently, there are no validated pediatric-specific VTE clinical pretest probability tools that reliably assist with the accurate and timely diagnosis of pediatric VTE. Compression ultrasound with Doppler is the most common imaging modality used for VTE diagnosis, and low molecular weight heparins are the most common anticoagulants initiated in children presenting with VTE in the ED. Special consideration should be given to patients who present to the ED already on anticoagulation therapy who may require acute management for clinically-significant bleeding or change in antithrombotic therapy approach for progression/recurrence of VTE.