Increased Creatine Kinase May Predict A Worse COVID-19 Outcome.

Early reports from Asia suggested that increased serum levels of the muscular enzyme creatine-(phospho)-kinase (CK/CPK) could be associated with a more severe prognosis in COVID-19. The aim of this single-center retrospective cohort study of 331 consecutive COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized during Italy's "first wave" was to verify this relationship, and to evaluate the role of possible confounding factors (age, body mass index, gender, and comorbidities). We subdivided our cohort in two groups, based on "severe" ( = 99) or "mild" ( = 232) outcomes.

Cost analysis of an Italian ICU.

Background: Cost reduction is an important issue in medicine today, especially when considering ICUs, since they account for a large percentage of all hospital expenditure. Through a retrospective analysis of the data regarding the expenses incurred during the years 1996-97, we have been able to evaluate the total costs of our ICU and the influence that each component had on the final costs, thus gathering the necessary information for the improvement of the unit itself.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of a 5-bedded multidisciplinary ICU activity over a two-year period (1996-1997).

[Sedation with benzodiazepine in ophthalmologic surgery: comparative study of diazepam and midazolam].

Introduction: To evaluate the effect of giving diazepam and midazolam, respectively 0.1 mg/kg and 0.03 mg/kg on: PAS, PAD, PAM, HR, SaO2 and sedation level at 10, 30, and 50 minutes from injection.

[Long-term sedation with propofol in ICU: hemocoagulation problems].

The Authors have studied the effects of propofol on coagulation in 15 patients admitted to ICU. Propofol was used for long-term sedation (therapeutic range 3 mg/kg/h). Variables monitored included: platelets, PTT, PT, Fibrinogen, FDP, AT III.

[Fluconazole in the therapy of candidiasis in intensive care].

The authors studied four patients in ICU suffering from Candida infections who were treated with a new bis-triazole antimycotic, fluconazole. Various parameters of blood chemistry and blood and urine drug levels were monitored. After treatment all microbiological tests had become negative and clinical conditions had improved considerably within 30 to 60 days.