Internal and emergency medicine
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To determine the predictive factors of mortality after hospitalization for acute heart failure (AHF) in an internal medicine department. Retrospective observational analysis conducted on 164 patients hospitalized for AHF in 2016-2017. Demographic, clinical and biological characteristics were assessed during hospitalization. ⋯ In elderly multimorbid patients, AHF prognosis appears to be influenced by nutritional criteria, including lower BMI, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperuricemia (independently of renal function). These results underline the importance of nutritional status, especially as therapeutic options are available. This consideration paves the way for further research in this field.
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There are important differences in epidemiology, pathophysiology, HF patterns, prognosis, and treatment. Women have a higher incidence of HFpEF due to sex-specific factors (such as anthropometry, role of estrogens, pregnancy-related cardiomyopathies), increased incidence of comorbidities, and gender-specific conditions. Men instead present a predisposition to the development of HFrEF due to a higher incidence of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. ⋯ In addition, a full understanding of gender-specific factors that are studied in small populations is lacking in the literature, and only in recent years, studies have increased their focus on this issue. Understanding how society, family, and environment affect the prognosis of HF patients may help clinicians provide more appropriate levels of care. In this overview, we aimed at summarizing all the key available evidence regarding sex/gender differences in heart failure.
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Review Meta Analysis
High-dose versus low-dose venous thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Standard doses of anticoagulant prophylaxis may not be sufficiently effective for the prevention of VTE. The objective of this systematic-review and meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of high-dose versus low-dose thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. ⋯ In hospitalized patients with COVID-19, high-dose thromboprophylaxis is more effective than low-dose for the prevention of VTE but increases the risk of major bleeding.
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Early detection of abnormal vital signs is critical for timely management of acute hospitalised patients and continuous monitoring may improve this. We aimed to assess the association between preceding vital sign abnormalities and serious adverse events (SAE) in patients hospitalised with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Two hundred patients' vital signs were wirelessly and continuously monitored with peripheral oxygen saturation, heart rate, and respiratory rate during the first 4 days after admission for AECOPD. ⋯ There were no statistically significant differences between patients with and without SAE in the overall duration of preceding physiological abnormalities. Study registration: http://ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03660501). Date of registration: Sept 6 2018.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Correlation of SpO2/FiO2 and PaO2/FiO2 in patients with symptomatic COVID-19: An observational, retrospective study.
Some patients affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) experience acute hypoxemic respiratory failure progressing toward atypical acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of the study is to evaluate whether a correlation between ratio of peripheral saturation of oxygen (SpO2) and fraction of inspired oxygen (S/F) and ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen and fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F) exists in COVID-19-related ARDS as already known in classical ARDS. In this multicenter, retrospective, observational study, consecutive, adult (≥ 18 years) patients with symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to different COVID-19 divisions in Italy between March and December 2020 were included. ⋯ S/F was also tested against P/F values ≤ 200 and ≤ 100 mmHg (suggestive for moderate and severe ARDS, respectively), the latter showing great accuracy for S/F ≤ 178%. S/F was accurate in predicting ARDS for SpO2 ≥ 92%. In conclusion, our findings support the routine use of S/F as a reliable surrogate of P/F in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS.