Publications by authors named "Donatella Busso"

Article Synopsis
  • COVID-19 can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome, requiring ICU admission and invasive ventilation, which increases the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in these patients.
  • A study of 284 ICU patients with COVID-19 found a 33% incidence of VAP, predominantly caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella spp., with significant antimicrobial resistance noted in these bacteria.
  • Key risk factors for developing VAP included receiving blood transfusions and certain therapies, with higher VAP rates linked to orotracheal intubation compared to tracheostomy, although patient positioning and specific admission ratios did not correlate significantly with VAP incidence.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study explores the effectiveness of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in adult patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19, revealing a significant rate of NIV failure and mortality risks based on ARDS severity.
  • Out of 307 ARDS patients hospitalized, 224 received NIV, with 37.5% experiencing failure, particularly higher in moderate and severe cases compared to mild ARDS.
  • The research indicates that starting NIV in mild ARDS patients may enhance its effectiveness and decrease the risk of mortality, suggesting a potential benefit in early intervention for these patients.
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(1) Background: Although COVID-19 is largely a respiratory disease, it is actually a systemic disease that has a wide range of effects that are not yet fully known. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, predictors and outcome of non-hepatic hyperammonemia (NHH) in COVID-19 in intensive care unit (ICU); (2) Methods: This is a 3-month prospective observational study in a third-level COVID-19 hospital. The authors collected demographic, clinical, severity score and outcome data.

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Article Synopsis
  • COVID-19 has led to increased cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with a concurrent rise in pneumothorax (PNX) and pneumomediastinum (PNM), but the prevalence and risk factors for these conditions remain uncertain.
  • An observational study of COVID-19 patients with moderate-severe ARDS was conducted to analyze the incidence of barotrauma during the pandemic, focusing on three distinct waves and utilizing positive-pressure ventilation (PPV).
  • Results showed a barotrauma incidence of 7.2% in ARDS patients on PPV, with 40 patients developing PNX/PMN, while mortality rates in the barotrauma group were 47.2%, compared to 37
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Background: The benefits and timing of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) COVID-19 patients are still controversial. PDT is considered a high-risk procedure for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to healthcare workers (HCWs). The present study analyzed the optimal timing of PDT, the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing PDT, and the safety of HCWs performing PDT.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study analyzed COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Italy to explore factors influencing prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding and viral clearance.
  • It found that patients with comorbidities, lymphopenia, or moderate/severe respiratory issues had lower chances of viral clearance, with a median viral shedding duration of 18 days.
  • Achieving viral clearance significantly improved clinical recovery rates and reduced the risk of death or the need for mechanical ventilation, emphasizing the necessity for timely hospital admission for symptomatic patients.
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