Temporal patterns of cytokine and injury biomarkers in hospitalized COVID-19 patients treated with methylprednisolone.

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents with complex pathophysiological effects in various organ systems. Following the COVID-19, there are shifts in biomarker and cytokine equilibrium associated with altered physiological processes arising from viral damage or aggressive immunological response. We hypothesized that high daily dose methylprednisolone improved the injury biomarkers and serum cytokine profiles in COVID-19 patients.

PrOgnosis in Pulmonary Embolism (PoPE): 30-Day mortality risk score based on five admission parameters.

Introduction And Objective: Several scoring systems have been developed for risk stratification in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) and its simplified version (sPESI) are among the most used, however the high number of variables hinder its application. Our aim was to derive an easy-to-perform score based on simple parameters obtained at admission to predict 30-day mortality in acute PE patients.

A predictive model for ammonium removal in polishing ponds operated in sequential bath mode.

The magnitude of pH changes in polishing ponds can be predicted by simple stoichiometric rules if the extent of processes affecting this parameter is known. Thus, the objective of this article was to develop a model that predicts pH variation and ammonia desorption in polishing ponds in sequential batches, depending on the rates of processes that affect pH in ponds and to evaluate the influence of temperature and depth on these processes. As the temperature conditions change during the year, for model validation, tests were carried out under two medium temperature conditions (hot period and cold period) and four lakes with depths between 0.

Effect of direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists or warfarin in patients with left ventricular thrombus outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Left ventricular thrombus commonly occurs as a complication of acute anterior myocardial infarction and nonischemic cardiomyopathies with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Its frequency is still high despite medical advances. Current guidelines recommend the use of vitamin k antagonists as first-line therapy, however, the off-label use of direct oral anticoagulants is becoming more frequent and attractive, given the better pharmacological and clinical profile, with the improvement of the patient's quality of life.

Contemporary prevalence of coronary artery disease in patients referred for heart valve surgery.

Background: Patients undergoing heart valve surgery are routinely evaluated for the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Currently, concomitant valve intervention and surgical revascularization is recommended when there is obstructive CAD. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of CAD, its treatment strategies, and their prognostic implications in a contemporary population of patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) referred for valve surgery (HVS).

Effectiveness of reciprocating and rotary retreatment files in the removal of endodontic filling material.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a reciprocating file (Reciproc) and a rotary retreatment file (Mtwo retreatment [Mtwo-R]) for the removal of filling material during root canal retreatment. A total of 30 mandibular molars with a mesial root curvature between 20° and 40° were selected and prepared using a Reciproc R25 file. The canals were filled using the lateral condensation technique and a root canal sealer.

Acute myocardial infarction on YouTube - is it all fake news?

Introduction And Objectives: The Internet is a fundamental aspect of health information. However, the absence of quality control encourages misinformation. We aim to assess the relevance and quality of acute myocardial infarction videos shared on YouTube (www.

Adoption and patterns of use of invasive physiological assessment of coronary artery disease in a large cohort of 40821 real-world procedures over a 12-year period.

Introduction And Objectives: Use of invasive physiological assessment in patients with coronary artery disease varies widely and is perceived to be low. We aimed to examine adoption rates as well as patterns and determinants of use in an unselected population undergoing invasive coronary angiography over a long time frame.

Methods: We retrospectively determined the per-procedure prevalence of physiological assessment in 40821 coronary cases performed between 2007 and 2018 in two large-volume centers.

Adoption and patterns of use of invasive physiological assessment of coronary artery disease in a large cohort of 40821 real-world procedures over a 12-year period.

Introduction And Objectives: Use of invasive physiological assessment in patients with coronary artery disease varies widely and is perceived to be low. We aimed to examine adoption rates as well as patterns and determinants of use in an unselected population undergoing invasive coronary angiography over a long time frame.

Methods: We retrospectively determined the per-procedure prevalence of physiological assessment in 40821 coronary cases performed between 2007 and 2018 in two large-volume centers.

A reversible cause of left ventricular dysfunction: Case report and brief review.

The authors describe a case of a patient admitted to the emergency department with diabetic ketoacidosis. Although there were no symptoms attributable to the cardiovascular system, lab tests revealed elevated troponin I and natriuretic peptides, coupled with repolarization abnormalities on the ECG. The transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed a non-dilated left ventricle with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction due to diffuse hypokinesia, and a concomitant diagnosis of profile L heart failure was proposed.

Acute myocardial infarction on YouTube - Is it all fake news?

Introduction And Objectives: The Internet is a fundamental aspect of health information. However, the absence of quality control encourages misinformation. We aim to assess the relevance and quality of acute myocardial infarction videos shared on YouTube (www.

A reversible cause of left ventricular dysfunction: Case report and brief review.

The authors describe a case of a patient admitted to the emergency department with diabetic ketoacidosis. Although there were no symptoms attributable to the cardiovascular system, lab tests revealed elevated troponin I and natriuretic peptides, coupled with repolarization abnormalities on the ECG. The transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed a non-dilated left ventricle with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction due to diffuse hypokinesia, and a concomitant diagnosis of profile L heart failure was proposed.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis caused by C. glabrata.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare acute necrotizing infection of the kidney and surrounding tissues, with gas in the renal parenchyma, collecting system or perirenal tissue. The bacterial etiology predominates; mainly Gram-negative bacilli; Candida spp. and C.

Ventricular tachycardia induced by pacing algorithm designed to avoid atrial fibrillation.

A patient with a dual chamber pacemaker was admitted to the emergency room after out-of-hospital cardioversion for syncopal sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. Device interrogation revealed an abnormally timed ventricular spike after a ventricular premature beat at the beginning of the event, caused by a pacemaker algorithm designed to avoid atrial fibrillation, non-competitive atrial pacing. Despite the absence of significant coronary lesions, in the setting of a vulnerable substrate - a hypokinetic and hyperechogenic region of ventricular myocardium - an upgrade to a dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was performed, and substrate ablation was planned.

Implementing enhanced patient education for surgical site infection prevention in cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Photo at Discharge (PaD) is a nurse-led discharge strategy for enhanced wound care information for patients and healthcare providers. The purpose of this study is to describe implementation of PaD in three English cardiac centres.

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional design was used to evaluate implementation fidelity and sustainability of PaD on various geographical settings.

Real-Time Visual Feedback Device Improves Quality Of Chest Compressions: A Manikin Study.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a real-time visual feedback device on Chest comparison (CCs) rate and depth delivered by healthcare professionals.

Methods: In a simulated scenario a sensor was placed on a manikin's chest and connected to a defibrillator which provided real-time visual feedback on the rate and depth of CCs. Thirty-two healthcare professionals performed sequentially 5 cycles of 30 CCs without (FeedOFF) and with (FeedON) feedback.

Eligibility for extended antithrombotic therapy for secondary prevention of acute coronary syndrome.

Introduction And Objectives: Recent randomized controlled trials have evaluated the benefit of extended antithrombotic therapy in secondary prevention of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the numerous and strict enrollment criteria may limit the validity and reproducibility of the published results in clinical practice. Our goal was to estimate the eligibility for participation in two randomized clinical trials in a group of patients followed for ACS.

Implantation of a Dual-Chamber Pacemaker in a Patient with Situs Inversus and Dextrocardia using a Novel Ultrasound Technique.

We report a case of a 43-year-old man with situs inversus and dextrocardia who was admitted with syncope in the setting of complete atrioventricular block. The complex anatomy poses a considerable challenge to transvenous permanent pacemaker implantation. We employed a novel technique using vascular ultrasound and agitated saline solution to assist with lead positioning.

On the occurrence of Apostolepis phillipsi (Serpentes, Elapomorphini) in Brazil, with the description of a new specimen from Mato Grosso.

We describe a specimen of Apostolepis phillipsi Harvey, 1999, from Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade, Mato Grosso, establishing the first unambiguous record of the species in Brazil. The new locality is ca. 120 km from the type locality, in Bolivia.

Utility of Pacemaker With Sleep Apnea Monitor to Predict Left Ventricular Overload and Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Pacemakers with sleep apnea monitor (SAM) provide an easy tool to assess obstructive sleep apnea over long periods of time. The link between respiratory disturbances at night and the incidence of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is not well established. We aimed at (1) determining the ability of SAM pacemakers to evaluate the extent of left ventricular overload and (2) assess the impact of respiratory disturbances at night on the occurrence of ADHF over 1-year of follow-up.

Risk stratification in normotensive acute pulmonary embolism patients: focus on the intermediate-high risk subgroup.

Background: Patients with acute pulmonary embolism are at intermediate-high risk in the presence of imaging signs of right ventricular dysfunction plus one or more elevated cardiac biomarker. We hypothesised that intermediate-high risk patients with two elevated cardiac biomarkers and imaging signs of right ventricular dysfunction have a worse prognosis than those with one cardiac biomarker and imaging signs of right ventricular dysfunction.

Methods: We analysed the cumulative presence of cardiac biomarkers and imaging signs of right ventricular dysfunction in 525 patients with intermediate risk pulmonary embolism (intermediate-high risk = 237) presenting at the emergency department in two centres.

Being a nurse, being a counselor: awakening to social control and public health.

Objective: Understand the time of awakening to social control and its contributions from the perspective of health counselor nurses.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight nurses who work/worked as health counselors. The information was analyzed using the thematic analysis of Minayo.

Derivation and external validation of the SHIeLD score for predicting outcome in normotensive pulmonary embolism.

Background: Identifying patients with normotensive pulmonary embolism (PE) who may benefit from thrombolysis remains challenging. We sought to develop and validate a score to predict 30-days PE-related mortality and/or rescue thrombolysis.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed 554 patients with normotensive PE.