The Role of Automated Infrared Pupillometry in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review

Pupillometry, an integral component of neurological examination, serves to evaluate both pupil size and reactivity. The conventional manual assessment exhibits inherent limitations, thereby necessitating the development of portable automated infrared pupillometers (PAIPs). Leveraging infrared technology, these devices provide an objective assessment, proving valuable in the context of brain injury for the detection of neuro-worsening and the facilitation of patient monitoring. In cases of mild brain trauma particularly, traditional methods face constraints. Conversely, in severe brain trauma scenarios, PAIPs contribute to neuro-prognostication and non-invasive neuromonitoring. Parameters derived from PAIPs exhibit correlations with changes in intracranial pressure. It is important to acknowledge, however, that PAIPs cannot replace invasive intracranial pressure monitoring while their widespread adoption awaits robust support from clinical studies. Ongoing research endeavors delve into the role of PAIPs in managing critical neuro-worsening in brain trauma patients, underscoring the non-invasive monitoring advantages while emphasizing the imperative for further clinical validation. Future advancements in this domain encompass sophisticated pupillary assessment tools and the integration of smartphone applications, emblematic of a continually evolving landscape.

Association Between Vaccination Status and Mortality Among Intubated Patients With COVID-19-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

IMPORTANCE

Although vaccination substantially reduces the risk of severe COVID-19, it is yet unknown whether vaccinated patients who develop COVID-19 and require invasive mechanical ventilation have lower mortality than controls.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between COVID-19 vaccination status and mortality among critically ill patients who require invasive mechanical ventilation owing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) related to COVID-19.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This multicenter cohort study was performed between June 7, 2021, and February 1, 2022, among 265 consecutive adult patients with COVID-19 in academic intensive care units who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation owing to ARDS.

EXPOSURES

Patients in the full vaccination group had completed the primary COVID-19 vaccination series more than 14 days but less than 5 months prior to intubation. This time threshold was chosen because guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a booster dose beyond that time. The remaining patients (ie, those who were unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or fully vaccinated <14 days or >5 months before intubation) comprised the control group.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was time from intubation to all-cause intensive care unit mortality. A Cox proportional hazards regression model including vaccination status, age, comorbid conditions, and baseline Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score on the day of intubation was used.

RESULTS

A total of 265 intubated patients (170 men [64.2%]; median age, 66.0 years [IQR, 58.0-76.0 years]; 26 [9.8%] in the full vaccination group) were included in the study. A total of 20 patients (76.9%) in the full vaccination group received the BNT162b2 vaccine, and the remaining 6 (23.1%) received the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. Patients in the full vaccination group were older (median age, 72.5 years [IQR, 62.8-80.0 years] vs 66.0 years [IQR, 57.0-75.0 years]) and more likely to have comorbid conditions (24 of 26 [92.3%] vs 160 of 239 [66.9%]), including malignant neoplasm (6 of 26 [23.1%] vs 18 of 239 [7.5%]), than those in the control group. Full vaccination status was significantly associated with lower mortality compared with controls (16 of 26 patients [61.5%] died in the full vaccination group vs 163 of 239 [68.2%] in the control group; hazard ratio, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.32-0.94]; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, full vaccination status was associated with lower mortality compared with controls, which suggests that vaccination might be beneficial even among patients who were intubated owing to COVID-19-related ARDS. These results may inform discussions with families about prognosis.

Rapidly improving acute respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19: a multi-centre observational study

Background

Before the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), rapidly improving acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), mostly defined by early extubation, had been recognized as an increasingly prevalent subphenotype (making up 15–24% of all ARDS cases), associated with good prognosis (10% mortality in ARDSNet trials). We attempted to determine the prevalence and prognosis of rapidly improving ARDS and of persistent severe ARDS related to COVID-19.

Methods

We included consecutive patients with COVID-19 receiving invasive mechanical ventilation in three intensive care units (ICU) during the second pandemic wave in Greece. We defined rapidly improving ARDS as extubation or a partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (PaO₂:FiO₂) greater than 300 on the first day following intubation. We defined persistent severe ARDS as PaO₂:FiO₂ of equal to or less than 100 on the second day following intubation.

Results

A total of 280 intubated patients met criteria of ARDS with a median PaO₂:FiO₂ of 125.0 (interquartile range 93.0–161.0) on day of intubation, and overall ICU-mortality of 52.5% (ranging from 24.3 to 66.9% across the three participating sites). Prevalence of rapidly improving ARDS was 3.9% (11 of 280 patients); no extubation occurred on the first day following intubation. ICU-mortality of patients with rapidly improving ARDS was 54.5%. This low prevalence and high mortality rate of rapidly improving ARDS were consistent across participating sites. Prevalence of persistent severe ARDS was 12.1% and corresponding mortality was 82.4%.

Conclusions

Rapidly improving ARDS was not prevalent and was not associated with good prognosis among patients with COVID-19. This is starkly different from what has been previously reported for patients with ARDS not related to COVID-19. Our results on both rapidly improving ARDS and persistent severe ARDS may contribute to our understanding of trajectory of ARDS and its association with prognosis in patients with COVID-19.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-022-02015-8.

Effect of Vitamin C on Clinical Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: An Observational Study and Subsequent Meta-Analysis

Background

Whether vitamin C provides any benefit when administered in critically ill patients, including those with coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is controversial. We endeavored to estimate the effect of administration of vitamin C on clinical outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19 by performing an observational study and subsequent meta-analysis.

Methods

Firstly, we conducted an observational study of critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who consecutively underwent invasive mechanical ventilation in an academic intensive care unit (ICU) during the second pandemic wave. We compared all-cause mortality of patients receiving vitamin C (“vitamin C” group) or not (“control” group) on top of standard-of-care. Subsequently, we systematically searched PubMed and CENTRAL for relevant studies, which reported on all-cause mortality (primary outcome) and/or morbidity of critically ill patients with COVID-19 receiving vitamin C or not treatment. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random effects model. The meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO.

Results

In the observational study, baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Mortality was 20.0% (2/10) in the vitamin C group vs. 47.6% (49/103; p = 0.11) in the control group. Subsequently, the meta-analysis included 11 studies (6 observational; five randomized controlled trials) enrolling 1,807 critically ill patients with COVID-19. Mortality of patients receiving vitamin C on top of standard-of-care was not lower than patients receiving standard-of-care alone (25.8 vs. 34.7%; RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.57–1.26; p = 0.42).

Conclusions

After combining results of our observational cohort with those of relevant studies into a meta-analysis of data from 1,807 patients, we found that administration vitamin C as opposed to standard-of-care alone might not be associated with lower of mortality among critically ill patients with COVID-19. Additional evidence is anticipated from relevant large randomized controlled trials which are currently underway.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42021276655.

189. Bacteremia among COVID-19 and Non-Covid-19 Patients Admitted in the ICU

Background

The aim of this work were to investigate the rate and aetiology of bloodstream infection collected from COVID and non-COVID patients admitted in the ICU

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on PCR Covid-19 positive patients admitted in the ICU from 20th March to 30^th April 2020. Corresponding data from the same period in 2019 collected of all consecutive patients admitted in the same ICU were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of microbiologically documented bloodstream infections at least 8 hours after admission. All patients in the cohort study were on mechanical ventilation, or at some point during their ICU admission required mechanical ventilation.

Results

We identified a total of 19 (38%) BSIs in the COVID-19 group and 10 (12%) BSI in the non-COVID-19 group (p=0,8). COVID-19 patients had an increased probability to develop ICU-BSI, at a median of 8 days of ICU admission as opposed to 6 in the non-COVID-19 group. Patients were comparable in terms of age, and APACHE II score. Out of 19 BSI CoVID-19 patients, 14 (73%) were male vs 5 (50%) in the non-CoVID-19 BSI patients (p=0.0007). Of all BSI-CoVID-19 patients, 7 cases (37%), 3 (16%), and 3(16%) had underlying diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity vs 1(9%), 0(0%), and 0 (0%) in the BSI-non CoVID-19 patients statistically significant at p=0.004, p=0.05, and p=0.05, respectively. ICU-acquired BSIs were mostly due to multi-drug-resistant pathogens. Clinical outcomes were statistically significantly different between patients with CoVid-19 BSI 7(37% ) and 2(20%)in BSI- non-CoVID-19 pneumonia (p=0.02).

Conclusion

Our findings emphasize that although the incidence of BSI in CoVID-19 positive ICU admitted patients slightly increased their impact on overall outcome was significantly worse. Consequently, it is important to pay attention to bacterial superinfections in critical patients positive for COVID-19.

Disclosures

All Authors: No reported disclosures

707. Hospital-Onset Clostridioides difficile Infection Rates During COVID-19 Pandemic in the ICU Patients

Background

Due to COVID-19 gastrointestinal microbiome alterations, COVID-19 can be complicated by Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Clostridium difficile infection in patients with COVID-19pneumonia

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on PCR Covid-19 positive patients admitted in the ICU from September,2020 to 30^th April 2021. All patients in the cohort study were on mechanical ventilation, or at some point during their ICU admission required mechanical ventilation. Hospital-onset (HO-CDI), defined as a positive C. difficile test over 3 days after admission.

Results

Overall, during the study period, a total of 240 PCR Covid-19 patients were admitted to the ICU; of these, 11 (4.5%) were COVID-19 CDI positive. Nine were males (81%). The mean hospital stay for these COVID-19 patients was 12 days (range 1–59 days). HO-CDI median day of identification was 12 days. All patients received ≥2 antibiotics and dexamethasone at admission. Compared to historical controls, COVID-19 patients did not have a higher overall CDI positive rate. However, mortality among COVID-19 HO-CDI patients was increased 7/11 (63%).

Conclusion

Whether COVID-19 itself increases an individual’s risk for CDI remains unclear. Multiple contributing factors drive CDI incidence, severity, and recurrence. Although protective measures such as gowns and gloves during COVID-19 increased, CDI cases in the hospital setting should continue to emphasize the importance of antimicrobial stewardship.

Disclosures

All Authors: No reported disclosures

Thyroid hormone alterations in critically and non-critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

OBJECTIVE

Following the evolution of COVID-19 pandemic, reports pointed on a high prevalence of thyroiditis-related thyrotoxicosis. Interpretation of thyroid tests during illness, however, is hampered by changes occurring in the context of non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS). In order to elucidate these findings, we studied thyroid function in carefully selected cohorts of COVID-19 positive and negative patients.

DESIGN

Cohort observational study.

METHODS

We measured TSH, FT4, T3 within 24 h of admission in 196 patients without thyroid disease and/or confounding medications. In this study, 102 patients were SARS-CoV-2 positive; 41 admitted in the ICU, 46 in the ward and 15 outpatients. Controls consisted of 94 SARS-CoV-2 negative patients; 39 in the ICU and 55 in the ward. We designated the thyroid hormone patterns as consistent with NTIS, thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism.

RESULTS

A NTIS pattern was encountered in 60% of ICU and 36% of ward patients, with similar frequencies between SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients (46.0% vs 46.8%, P = NS). A thyrotoxicosis pattern was observed in 14.6% SARS-CoV-2 ICU patients vs 7.7% in ICU negative (P = NS) and, overall in 8.8% of SARS-CoV-2 positive vs 7.4% of negative patients. In these patients, thyroglobulin levels were similar to those with normal thyroid function or NTIS. The hypothyroidism pattern was rare.

CONCLUSIONS

NTIS pattern is common and relates to the severity of disease rather than SARS-CoV-2 infection. A thyrotoxicosis pattern is less frequently observed with similar frequency between patients with and without COVID-19. It is suggested that thyroid hormone monitoring in COVID-19 should not differ from other critically ill patients.

Hospital Resources May Be an Important Aspect of Mortality Rate among Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: The Paradigm of Greece

For critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who require intensive care unit (ICU) admission, extremely high mortality rates (even 97%) have been reported. We hypothesized that overburdened hospital resources by the extent of the pandemic rather than the disease per se might play an important role on unfavorable prognosis. We sought to determine the outcome of such patients admitted to the general ICUs of a hospital with sufficient resources. We performed a prospective observational study of adult patients with COVID-19 consecutively admitted to COVID—designated ICUs at Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece. Among 50 patients, ICU and hospital mortality was 32% (16/50). Median PaO₂/FiO₂ was 121 mmHg (interquartile range (IQR), 86–171 mmHg) and most patients had moderate or severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Hospital resources may be an important aspect of mortality rates, since severely ill COVID-19 patients with moderate and severe ARDS may have understandable mortality, provided that they are admitted to general ICUs without limitations on hospital resources.

The treatment of chronic anal fissure with botulinum toxin

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of botulinum toxin for the treatment of uncomplicated dorsal chronic idiopathic anal fissure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-five patients who reported post defecatory anal pain since two months or more were given a total of 20U botulinum toxin in the anal sphincter apparatus on both sides as well as below the anal fissure.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients received a second session of 25U botulinum toxin injection. Thirty-five patients (78%) presented completely healed anal fissure, while ten needed lateral internal sphincterotomy. All patients were followed up for 8-36 months. Two patients relapsed.

CONCLUSION

Local injection of botulinum toxin is a new and safe treatment; however, two sessions of injections are necessary to be effective and long-term follow-up to assess the recurrence rate of fissure is needed to evaluate further this method of treatment. Partial internal lateral sphincterotomy is no more the treatment of choice for chronic anal fissure.