Combination prophylactic amiodarone with beta-blockers versus beta-blockers in atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: A systematic-review and meta-analysis.

Background: Guideline recommendations regarding the preferred preventive measures for postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) are unclear, nor have we found any review articles addressing the combination of amiodarone and beta-blockers for the prevention of POAF.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of combination beta-blockers and amiodarone in the prevention of POAF while also comparing the use of amiodarone and beta-blockers individually.

Methods: We used Pubmed as the primary resource.

The Role of Palliative Care Consultation in Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment among ICU Patients Receiving Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV-ECMO): A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has extended the survivability of critically ill patients beyond their unsupported prognosis and has widened the timeframe for making an informed decision about the goal of care. However, an extended time window for survival does not necessarily translate into a better outcome and the sustaining treatment is ultimately withdrawn in many patients. Emerging evidence has implicated the determining role of palliative care consult (PCC) in direction of the care that critically ill patients receive.

Adjunctive Dexmedetomidine in Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Retrospective Cohort Studies and Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: To investigate whether dexmedetomidine (DEX), as adjunctive therapy to benzodiazepine (BZD), is superior to BZD alone in critically ill patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS).

Data Sources: PubMed Central, Cochrane CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar were used as search databases.

Demographic and clinical profile of patients suffering prolonged severe hypoxia in COVID-19.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may result in rapid onset of hypoxemic respiratory failure. This study aimed to characterize the factors and outcomes associated with prolonged hypoxia in patients with COVID-19. Prolonged severe hypoxia (PSH) was defined as hypoxia requiring ≥6 L/min of oxygen by nasal cannula or equivalent for more than 10 days.

Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine among Heart Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review.

Background: Heart transplant (HTX) recipients are at a significantly higher risk of adverse clinical outcomes, due to chronic immunosuppression and co-existence of other chronic conditions, when contracting the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is currently the most promising measure for the prevention of severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among solid organ transplant recipients, the extent of immune response and its protective efficacy among patients receiving HTX has not been sufficiently studied.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature by inquiring PubMed/Medline to identify original studies among HTX recipients, who had received at least one dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Balanced electrolyte solutions versus isotonic saline in adult patients with diabetic ketoacidosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Current guidelines suggest the use of isotonic saline (IS) infusion as the preferred resuscitation fluid in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). However, balanced electrolyte solutions (BES) have been proposed as an alternative due to a lower propensity to cause hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Evidence regarding the use of BES in DKA remains limited.

Palliative Care Consultation and Cost of Stay in out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

: Cardiac arrest is a critical condition with high clinical, economic, and emotional burden. The role of palliative medicine in the management of critical patients has grown and, in some areas, has shown reduced cost of stay. This study set out to examine the association of palliative care involvement in out of hospital post cardiac arrest patients and cost of stay.

Risk factors associated with intubation and readmissions in patients with angioedema: A single-center experience al. / Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 127 (2021) xxx-xxx"?>.

Background: Given the heterogeneity of etiologies, pathophysiology, and presentation of angioedema, variations in clinical outcomes, such as intubation and hospital readmissions, need further clarification.

Objective: To determine the factors associated with intubation and hospital readmissions in patients with angioedema.

Methods: Retrospective study of patients evaluated with a diagnosis of angioedema in a 6-year period.

Comparison of Patient Clinical characteristics and Outcomes Between Different COVID-19 Peak Periods: A Single Center Retrospective Propensity Matched Analysis.

Introduction While Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) specific treatments have been instituted, overall mortality rates among hospitalized patients remain significant. Our study aimed to evaluate patient clinical characteristics and outcomes comparing the different COVID-19 infection peak periods. Methods This is a retrospective study of all adult patients hospitalized with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 between March 1 to April 24, 2020 and November 1 to December 31, 2020, which corresponded to the first and second waves of COVID-19 infection in our institution, respectively.

Bi-atrial thrombosis in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a case report.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly spreading pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is a multisystemic disease associated with micro- and macrovascular thrombo-embolic complications, including intracardiac thrombosis, which has not been previously reported in the literature.

Case Summary: We report a case of a 68-year-old woman with COVID-19 admitted to our intensive care unit with acute respiratory distress, undifferentiated shock, hyperkalaemia, acute kidney injury, and coagulopathy.

Factors associated with hospital readmissions among patients with COVID-19: A single-center experience.

Identify factors associated with readmission after an index hospital admission for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in a single center serving an underserved and predominantly minority population. This retrospective descriptive study included 275 patients who tested COVID-19 positive via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay at our institution and who survived the index hospitalization. The main outcomes were 1- and 6-month readmission rates after an index hospitalization for COVID-19.

Predictors of venous thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19 in an underserved urban population: A single tertiary center experience.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is reported in up to 27% of patients with COVID-19 due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Dysregulated systemic inflammation and various patient traits are presumed to underlie this anomaly. Optimal VTE prophylaxis in COVID-19 patients has not been established due to a lack of validated models for predicting VTE in this population.

Association of Pre-Admission Statin Use With Reduced In-Hospital Mortality in COVID-19.

Background: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection is associated with an uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response. Statins, given their anti-inflammatory properties, may reduce the associated morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the association between statin use prior to hospitalization and in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Prevailing patterns of liver enzymes in patients with COVID-19 infection and association with clinical outcomes.

Background: COVID-19 is now a critical threat to global public health. Although the majority of patients present with respiratory illness, several studies have described multiorgan involvement. This study evaluated the prevailing patterns of liver enzymes in COVID-19 patients on admission and their association with clinical outcomes.

Clinical Characteristics, Respiratory Mechanics, and Outcomes in Critically Ill Individuals With COVID-19 Infection in an Underserved Urban Population.

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak in the United States has disproportionately affected Black individuals, but little is known about the factors that underlie this observation. Herein, we describe these associations with mortality in a largely minority underserved population.

Methods: This single-center retrospective observational study included all adult subjects with laboratory-confirmed SARS-Cov-2 treated in our ICU between March 15 and May 10, 2020.

Insulin Use, Diabetes Control, and Outcomes in Patients with COVID-19.

: The novel coronavirus (SARS CoV-2) has caused significant morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. However, the effects of diabetes control including insulin use remain uncertain in terms of clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19.: In this single-center, retrospective observational study, all adult patients admitted to Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, from March 1 through April 24, 2020 with a diagnosis of COVID-19 and diabetes were included.

COVID-19 in HIV-infected patients: A case series and literature review.

During the current COVID pandemic, there is growing interest to identify subsets of the population that may be at a higher than average risk of infection. One such group includes people living with HIV.

Timing of Intubation and Its Implications on Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection.

In critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019, there has been considerable debate about when to intubate patients with acute respiratory failure. Early expert recommendations supported early intubation. However, as we learned more about this disease, the risks versus benefits of early intubation are less clear.

Anticoagulation and bleeding risk in patients with COVID-19.

Background: There is no current standardized approach to anticoagulation in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) while potential bleeding risks remain. Our study characterizes the patterns of anticoagulation use in COVID-19 patients and the risk of related bleeding.

Methods: This is a single center retrospective analysis of 355 adult patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 from March 1 to May 31, 2020.

Bacterial infections and patterns of antibiotic use in patients with COVID-19.

Bacterial coinfection is associated with poor outcomes in patients with viral pneumonia, but data on its role in the mortality of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. This is a single-center retrospective analysis of 242 patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to both intensive care and non-intensive care settings. Bacterial coinfection was determined by the presence of characteristic clinical features and positive culture results.

The relationship between diabetes and clinical outcomes in COVID-19: a single-center retrospective analysis.

Aims: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic. Diabetic patients tend to have poorer outcomes and more severe disease (Kumar et al. in Diabetes Metab Syndr 14(4):535-545, 2020.

Characteristics of peripheral blood differential counts in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Background: A lot remains unknown about the features and laboratory findings that may predict worse outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference in complete blood count parameters and differential counts in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who survived compared to those who died.

Design: We performed a single-center retrospective study including 242 patients with confirmed COVID-19.

Association Between Intravenous Fluid Resuscitation and Hospital Mortality in Post Cardiac Arrest Patients: A Retrospective Study.

Objective: To assess the role for intravenous fluid (IVF) resuscitation in the postarrest state. Primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were associations with amount of vasopressor use and mechanical ventilation days.