Electrocardiographic abnormalities in COVID-19 patients visiting the emergency department: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be associated with myocardial injury. Identification of at-risk patients and mechanisms underlying cardiac involvement in COVID-19 remains unclear. During hospitalization for COVID-19, high troponin level has been found to be an independent variable associated with in-hospital mortality and a greater risk of complications.

Hyponatremia is associated with poor outcome in COVID-19.

Aim: Our objective was to describe the impact of hyponatremia on the outcomes of COVID-19 patients [outcomes selected: intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation or death].

Methods: Two groups of COVID-19 patients were retrospectively screened on the basis of plasma sodium level at admission: hyponatremic (sodium < 135 mM, n = 92) or normonatremic (sodium ≥ 135 mM, n = 198) patients. Pearson's chi- (qualitative variables) and Student's T tests (quantitative variables) were used to compare the two groups.

Electrolyte imbalance in COVID-19 patients admitted to the Emergency Department: a case-control study.

In patients visiting the emergency department (ED), a potential association between electrolytes disturbance and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has not been well studied. We aim to describe electrolyte disturbance and explore risk factors for COVID-19 infection in patients visiting the ED. We carried out a case-control study in three hospitals in France, including adult ED inpatients (≥ 18 years old).

High variability among Emergency Departments in 3rd-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones use for community-acquired pneumonia.

Objective: Fluoroquinolones and 3rd-generation cephalosporins that are prescribed for pneumonia may be avoided and replaced by a penicillin in some cases. We aimed to determine if the proportion of patients treated for pneumonia with a cephalosporin, a fluoroquinolone or both varies among Emergency Departments (EDs), and to estimate the proportion of avoidable prescriptions.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients treated for pneumonia in eight French EDs, and subsequently hospitalized in non-ICU wards.

Results of an outpatient transient ischemic attack evaluation: a 90-day follow-up study.

Background: Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is common and precedes 15% of strokes. TIA should be managed as a time-sensitive illness to prevent a subsequent stroke. However, management of TIA is heterogeneous, with little consensus about its optimal assessment.