Prehospital Period in Patients with COVID-19: Cardiovascular Comorbidity and Pharmacotherapy During the First Epidemic Wave (Hospital Registry Data)

Aim. Based on the data from the register of patients with COVID-19 and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), analyze the duration of the prehospital period, cardiovascular comorbidity and the quality of prehospital pharmacotherapy of concomitant cardiovascular diseases (CVD).Material and methods. Patients were included to the study which admitted to the FSBI "NMHC named after N.I. Pirogov" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and/or CAP. The data for prehospital therapy, information from medical histories and a patients’survey in the hospital or by telephone contact 1-2 weeks after discharge were study. The duration of the prehospital stage was determined from the date of the appearance of clinical symptoms of coronavirus infection to the date of hospitalization.Results. The average age of the patients (n=1130; 579 [51.2%] men and 551 [48.8%] women) was 57.5±12.8 years. The prehospital stage was 7 (5,0; 10,0) days and did not differ significantly in patients with the presence and absence of CVD, but was significantly less in the deceased than in the surviving patients, as well as in those who required artificial lung ventilation (ALV). 583 (51.6%) patients had at least one CVD. Cardiovascular comorbidity was registered in 222 (42.7%) patients with hypertension, 210 (95.5%) patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), 104 (91.2%) patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The inclusion of non-cardiac chronic diseases in the analysis led to an increase in the total proportion of patients with concomitant diseases to 65.8%. Approximately a quarter of hypertensive patients did not receive antihypertensive therapy, a low proportion of patients receiving antiplatelet agents and statins for CHD was revealed – 53% and 31.8%, respectively, anticoagulants for AF – 50.9%.Conclusion. The period from the onset of symptoms to hospitalization was significantly shorter in the deceased than in the surviving patients, as well as in those who required ALV. The proportion of people with a history of at least one CVD was about half of the entire cohort of patients. In patients with CVD before COVID-19 disease, a low frequencies of prescribing antihypertensive drugs, statins, antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants (in patients with AF) were recorded at the prehospital stage.

SEVERE MITRAL REGURGITATION AFTER PMBV? COMPARISON BETWEEN INOUE AND MULTI-TRACK TECHNIQUES

Objectives: To compare the frequency of severe mitral regurgitation after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) via Inoue balloon and multi-track balloon technique in our population. Methodology: In this retrospective observational study which was conducted at a tertiary care cardiac center of Karachi, Pakistan between 2015 and 2020 on Hospital registry of PMBV patients. Data were categorized in to two groups, Inoue balloon or multi-track balloon technique. Post procedure echocardiographic and catheterization parameters and in-hospital outcomes and complications, including severe MR, were compared between two groups. Results: Out of 470 PMBV procedures, 286 (60.9%) were performed with multi-track and 184 (39.1%) with Inoue balloon. Improvement in mitral value area was significantly higher with multi-track as compared to Inoue balloon (0.66±0.31 cm2 vs. 0.56±0.29 cm2; p<0.001). Severe MR was not significant, 3.5% (10/286) vs. 4.3% (8/184); p=0.639 for multi-track and Inoue balloon. One patient in Inoue balloon group and two patients in multi-track group required emergency valve surgery. Stroke was observed in two patients of multi-track group and two patients from the same group developed tamponade. No in-hospital mortality was observed. Conclusion: Post-procedure severe MR is a significant and frequent complication. Rate of post procedure severe MR are similar for PMBV via Inoue balloon and multi-track balloon. Both methods are equally effective with equal success rate.

Clinical Impacts of Juxtapapillary Duodenal Diverticulum Detected on Computed Tomography

Background: : Diverticula are commonly observed in the duodenum. Duodenal diverticulum (DD) usually does not give symptoms throughout life and is diagnosed by coincidence. However, it may present with different symptoms in patients. Objective:: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of DD and juxtapapillary duodenal diverticulum (JDD) and its association with other possible pathologies and to determine its clinical impact by using Computed Tomography (CT). Methods: This retrospective observational study, which was taken consecutively between the years of 2013-2020, was evaluated in the Radiology Department. The total number of cases was 4850 (male-2440; female-2410). CT images were evaluated by two experienced radiologists at the workstation. DD and JDD prevalence and clinical findings in the hospital registry system were examined. Results: The age of the patients included in the study ranged from 17 to 92 years (mean age 46.94±16.42). In patients with DD (female-130; male-101), mean age was 62.24 ± 12.69 (21-92). The prevalence of DD was 4.76% (n=231). The prevalence of JDD was 4.02% (n=195) and increased with age (p<0.01). The average diameter of the JDD was measured as 23.29±8.22(9.5-55.3) mm. A significant positive correlation was found between age and DD diameter (p=0.039). DDs were found most commonly 84.42% (n=195) in the second segment of the duodenum as JDD. In patients with JDD, the mean diameter of choledochus and wirsung canal were 6.7 ± 2.4 (3-15.3) mm and 0.31 ± 0.1 (0.1-6.5) mm respectively. The choledochal diameter was correlated with the JDD size (p = 0.004). Cholelithiasis (n=56), choledocholithiasis (n=20), cholecystitis (n=52), diverticulitis (n=15), duodenitis (n=37), pancreatitis (n=5) and hiatal hernia (n=60) with JDD were observed. Periampullary carcinoma was detected in one patient.

Prehospital period in patients with COVID-19 and community acquired pneumonia: age characteristics, cardiovascular comorbidity and pharmacotherapy during epidemic wave (the data of hospital registry)

Aim To estimate age characteristics, proportion of concomitant cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cardiovascular pharmacotherapy during prehospital period in patients with COVID-19 and community acquired pneumonia (CAP) according the data of hospital registry. Methods The registry included all patients admitted to the special COVID-19 center from April 6 to June 2, 2020 with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and CAP. This enrollment period was corresponding to the main part of the first epidemic wave of COVID-19 in megapolis (the number of new cases on April 6 and July 2, 2020 was 591 and 662, respectively, the maximal number, 6703 cases, was registered on May 7). COVID-19 was diagnosed in cases of positive polymerase chain reaction test (60.7%) or according to computed tomography data. Results The registry included 1.130 patients (age 57.5±12.8 years, 51.2% men). CAP was diagnosed in 94% of cases, CVD - in 52.9%. Mean age values (from the 1-st up to the 11-th weeks of enrollment period) were, respectively, week by week: 52.8; 54.3; 57.3; 59.6; 56.9; 60.0; 57.2; 62.7; 59.3; 57.4 and 62.2 years (p&lt;0.001; β-coefficient 0.78; 95% Confidential Interval, CI 0.50–1.07). The proportion of patients with CVD was for each of these weeks, respectively: 34.2%; 43.0%; 52.9%; 53.5%; 50.5%; 61.4%; 53.9%; 68.9; 63.1%; 54.8% and 66.7% (p&lt;0.001; Odds Ratio 1.04; 95% CI 1.02–1.06). So, during enrollment period the mean age of patients increased significantly (on average by 0.78 years per week) as well as the proportion of CVD cases increased from 34.2% up to 66.7% (average 51.5%). The mean duration of period from the first day of clinical symptoms until the date of hospitalization was 8.3±5.9 days (median 7; with Q1-Q3 from 5 to 10). There were no significant difference for the length of this period between groups of patients with and without CVD: 8.4±6.2 and 8.3±5.7 days (median 7; with Q1-Q3 from 5 to 10 for both groups), p=0.82; between age groups of ≥65 years and &lt;65 years: 8.8±7.2 and 8.1±5.3 days (median 7 with Q1-Q3 from 5 to 10, and 7 with Q1-Q3 from 4 to 10, respectively), p=0.07. Antihypertensive therapy during prehospital period was administered in 78.4% cases of hypertension, ACE inhibitors/sartans in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and history of myocardial infarction (MI) - in 64.6% and 52.3%, beta-blockers in CHF and history of MI – 54.4% and 42.2%, statins in coronary artery disease (CAD) – 28.9%, antiplatelets in CAD without atrial fibrillation (AF) – 50.4%, anticoagulants in AF – 57.5%. Conclusions Prehospital period in patients with COVID-19, community-acquired pneumonia enrolled into the hospital registry was characterized by rising of age and proportion of CVD cases during enrollment period. The correspondence of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy to clinical guidelines was insufficient that must be improved in clinical practice during time interval between first symptoms and hospitalization date. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

High Mortality Rate Among Latin American Immigrants With Covid-19 Hospitalised in Milan, Italy: Data From the Luigi Sacco Hospital Registry

Background To assess differences in the probability of COVID-19-related death between native Italians and immigrants hospitalised with COVID-19. Methods This was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data conducted at the ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco Hospital in Milan, Italy, between 21 February and 31 November 2020. Uni- and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the impact of the patients' origin on the probability of COVID-19-related death. Results The study population consisted of 1,179 COVID-19 patients: 921 Italians (78.1%) and 258 immigrants (21.9%) from Latin America (99, 38.4%), Asia (72, 27.9%), Africa (50, 19.4%) and central/eastern Europe (37, 14.3%). The Italians were older (p < 0.001) and more frequently affected by co-morbidities (p < 0.001). Mortality was significantly greater among the Italians than the immigrants as a whole (26.6% vs 12.8%; p < 0.001), and significantly greater among the immigrants from Latin America than among those from Asia, Africa and central/eastern Europe (21.2% vs 8.3%, 6% and 8.1%, respectively; p = 0.016). Multivariate analyses showed that a Latin American origin was independently associated with an increased risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio 1.95, 95% confidence interval 1.17–3.23). Conclusions Our findings support the need to strengthen COVID-19 information and prevention initiatives in the Latin American community living in Milan.

Clinical Comparison of Transfix and Tightrope Fixations in Patients with Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Backgraound: Transfix and Tightrope are widely used devices for femoral graft fixation in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The purpose of the study is to reveal differences between Transfix and Tightrope fixation technique by evaluating clinical results of cases. Materials and Methods: 87 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction for ACL rupture between January 2013 and June 2017 by the same senior surgeon and in whom the fixation methods evaluated in this study had been employed were retrospectively reviewed. Transfix was used in 45 (52%) patients and ACL Tightrope was used in 42 (48%) patients. In the first group (Transfix) mean age was 26,3± 5.8 (18-45) second group (Tightrope) mean age was 26,7± 6.1 (17-46). Patients in both groups were retrospectively screened for anamnesis and physical examination records in the hospital registry system. In addition, IKDC(International Knee Documentation Committee) and Lysholm scores were calculated in the preoperative and postoperative follow-up period, and all findings were evaluated over a mean period of 42.5 ± 7.4 (24-54) months. Results: Clinical evaluation and stability tests indicated that statistically no significant difference found between two groups. For the first group preoperative Lysholm scores was 47,3 and postoperatively 93 and second group scores were respectivly 47,6 and 94 (P<0.05). IKDC scoring system for first group preoperatively there were 13 poor, 26 good and 6 fair knees ; postoperatively 2 fair, 27 good and 16 excellent .In the second group preoperatively 11 poor, 25 fair and 6 good knees and postoperatively 2 fair, 26 good and 14 excellent knees evaluated. Conclucions: In ACL reconstruction for fixation femoral graft, Transfix and Tightrope are frequently used implants. Therefore, both femoral fixation implants can be safely used in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction based on the experience and preference of the surgeon, provided that they are properly applied.

RARE CONGENITAL ANOMALIES AT THE CRANIOVERTEBRAL JUNCTION; OS ODENTOIDEUM

Aim: We aimed to identify dislocation, myelomalacia, and other congenital pathologies that may cause neurological complications arising from the odontoid process in the craniocervical junction (CVJ) of patients who were performed cervical tomography due to various complaints. Materials and Methods: Patients who were performed cervical CT with various complaints between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively screened and evaluated, from the hospital registry system. Segmentation and fusion anomalies arising from the odontoid process in the craniovertebral junction area, as well as other accompanying pathologies such as subluxation, dislocation, compression to the spinal cord, and myelomalacia were also recorded. An additional 1.5 Tesla cervical MRI was performed for the 12 patients with os odontoideum. Radiological evaluation was performed on the workstation by an experienced radiologist. Results: 2525 patients with cervical CT were included in the study. 67 of these patients had congenital anomalies at the CVJ. 13 of 67 patients had os odontoideum, 38 had Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS). Atlanto-occipital assimilation (AOA) and KFS often saw together. Only AOA was observed in 16 cases. Neck pain and limitation of movement were the most common findings in patients with congenital anomalies in the CVJ region. Conclusion: Congenital anomalies at the CVJ region, although rare, can cause mortality or morbidity. Cervical CT and MRI studies on the CVJ region should be evaluated carefully by the clinicians due to the risk of various complications.

The Effects of Trends in Osteoporosis Treatment on the Incidence of Fractures

Summary. We analyzed the data about the preferences of medication and incidence of fractures between osteoporosis patients from 2012 to 2016. Our results suggested that the number of patients treated with intravenous and subcutaneous injections increased and the incidence of fracture was lower in intravenous and subcutaneous injections than oral medications. Objective. This study focused on the trends in antiosteoporosis drug preferences and compared the incidence of fractures between patients treated orally and those who were exposed to an awareness campaign and assigned to intravenous/subcutaneous treatment. Methods. Our hospital registry included 1,716 osteoporotic women who were over 65 years of age without preexisting vertebral and nonvertebral fractures over 1 year before this study, with bone mineral density (BMD) < −2.5 standard deviation (SD) and fracture assessment tool (FRAX) score > 20%, who were given 1,337 oral and 379 intravenous/subcutaneous prescriptions to treat their osteoporosis. Self-administered surveys (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016) collected data on trends of preferences among nine drugs and fracture prevention using relative risk reduction (RRR). Results. The number of patients taking oral prescriptions decreased gradually from 2012 to 2016, while the number of patients treated with intravenous and subcutaneous injections increased. The incidence of fracture was lower in patients receiving intravenous and subcutaneous injections than in patients taking oral medications. Conclusion. These findings indicate a decrease in oral prescriptions for osteoporosis treatment and that treatment for osteoporosis using intravenous or subcutaneous injections of antiosteoporosis drugs is more effective for preventing fractures.