Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Dec 2021
Observational StudyPrevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthy blood donors from the state of Tyrol, Austria, in summer 2020.
Seroepidemiological studies provide important insight into the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV‑2) in our society. We aimed to determine seropositivity of SARS-CoV‑2 antibodies and its cross-sectional correlates in a large cohort of blood donors. ⋯ In summer 2020, SARS-CoV‑2 seroprevalence in Tyrolean blood donors was 3.1%. Our study revealed regional variation and associations with young age, travel history and specific symptoms.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Dec 2021
Clinical characterization of hospitalized COVID-19 patients during the second wave of pandemic in the district of Rohrbach, Upper Austria : A single center retrospective study.
During the peak of the second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in November 2020, the district of Rohrbach, Upper Austria, was reported to have had the highest 7‑day incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‑2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive cases worldwide. In this study, we present the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 cases during the second wave of the pandemic in patients admitted to the only primary care hospital in the district of Rohrbach between October 2020 and February 2021. In total, 260 patients were hospitalized with a mean age of 72 years and a mortality rate of 14.6% and 13 patients (5%) were transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ These laboratory parameters might help to identify COVID-19 patients with a severe disease course. In conclusion, we could show that older, frail individuals are the most vulnerable group affected by COVID-19. Whether this trend in hospitalized patients continues with the persistence of the pandemic, the emergence of novel virus mutations, and the availability of several different vaccines is presently unclear and remains to be determined.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Dec 2021
Point of care echocardiography and lung ultrasound in critically ill patients with COVID-19.
Hundreds of millions got infected, and millions have died worldwide and still the number of cases is rising. Chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT) are useful for imaging the lung but their use in infectious diseases is limited due to hygiene and availability. Lung ultrasound has been shown to be useful in the context of the pandemic, providing clinicians with valuable insights and helping identify complications such as pleural effusion in heart failure or bacterial superinfections. ⋯ As such, point of care echocardiography as well as a comprehensive approach in later stages of the disease provide important information for optimally diagnosing and treating complications of COVID-19. In our experience, lung ultrasound in combination with echocardiography, has a great impact on treatment decisions. In the acute state as well as in the follow-up setting after a severe or critical state of COVID-19, ultrasound can be of great impact to monitor the progression and regression of disease.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Dec 2021
Asymptomatic deep vein thromboses in prolonged hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
High incidence of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients has been reported despite pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis. We performed prospective bilateral lower extremity ultrasound evaluation of prolonged hospitalized COVID-19 ward patients from our institution without clinical suspicion of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A total of 102 patient were included in the study. ⋯ Asymptomatic DVT events were more common in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors (60% in postmechanically ventilated ICU survivors, 21.2% in ward patients, 22% in high-flow oxygen treated patients; P = 0.031), in patients with higher modified International Medical Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism (IMPROVE) VTE risk-score (median 3 vs. 2 points with and without DVT; P = 0.021) and higher body temperature on admission (median 38.7 °C vs. 37.7 °C with and without DVT; P = 0.001). No clear associations with Padua VTE risk score, demographic and other clinical characteristics, intensity of thromboprophylaxis, severity of other COVID-19 symptoms, degree of systemic inflammation or D‑dimers on admission were found (P > 0.05 for all analyses). Systematic ultrasound assessment in prolonged hospitalized severe COVID-19 patients prior to hospital discharge is needed, especially in ICU survivors, to timely recognize and appropriately treat patients with asymptomatic DVT.
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Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Dec 2021
[Guideline S1: Long COVID: Diagnostics and treatment strategies].
This guideline comprises the state of science at the time of the editorial deadline. In view of the high turnover of knowledge the guideline is designed as a living guideline. ⋯ It also offers advice concerning return to daily life and rehabilitation. Long COVID being a very variable condition, we chose an interdisciplinary approach.