Relation of high resolution pulmonary CT findings and clinical condition of COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: At present, chest computed tomography (CT) is accepted as a tool for assessment COVID-19 patients. However, there are few data about the relationship between initial imaging results at presentation and the presence of systemic inflamma-tory mediators and outcome in patients with COVID-19. The aim of study is to evaluate the relation of initial high resolution com-puted tomography (HRCT) chest findings to inflammatory indices and clinical course of COVID-19 patients during hospitalization.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis: A case-control study.

The development of pulmonary fibrosis is a rare complication of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Limited information is available in the literature about that, and the present study aimed to address this gap.This case-control study included 64 patients with post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis who were hospitalized for COVID-19.

Diaphragm ultrasound as a new method to predict extubation outcome in mechanically ventilated patients.

Aim: To evaluate role of diaphragmatic thickening and excursion, assessed ultrasonographically, in predicting extubation outcome.

Methods: Fifty-four patients who successfully passed spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) were enrolled. They were assessed by ultrasound during SBT evaluating diaphragmatic excursion, diaphragmatic thickness (Tdi) at end inspiration, at end expiration and diaphragmatic thickness fraction (DTF%).

Brain natriuretic peptide as a predictor of weaning from mechanical ventilation in patients with respiratory illness.

Background: Cardiovascular dysfunction has been reported as an important mechanism of weaning failure. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a sensitive and specific marker for cardiovascular dysfunction.

Objective: To determine the value of BNP levels measured at initiation and end of a 2h spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) as a predictor of successful weaning of mechanical ventilation in patients with respiratory illness.