Lowest SpO2 Research Articles

Risk Factors for Severity and Mortality in Adult Patients Confirmed with COVID-19 in Sierra Leone: A Retrospective Study.

Background:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious respiratory disease. There is no recommended antiviral treatment approved for COVID-19 in Sierra Leone, and supportive care and protection of vital organ function are performed for the patients. This study summarized the clinical characteristics, drug treatments, and risk factors for the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone to provide evidence for the treatment of COVID-19.Methods:Data of 180 adult COVID-19 patients from the 34th Military Hospital in Freetown Sierra Leone between March 31, 2020 and August 11, 2020 were retrospectively collected. Patients with severe and critically ill are classified in the severe group, while patients that presented asymptomatic, mild, and moderate disease were grouped in the non-severe group. The clinical and laboratory information was retrospectively collected to assess the risk factors and treatment strategies for severe COVID-19. Demographic information, travel history, clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory detection results, chest examination findings, therapeutics, and clinical outcomes were collected from each case file. Multivariate logistic analysis was adopted to identify the risk factors for deaths. Additionally, the clinical efficacy of dexamethasone treatment was investigated.Results:Seventy-six (42.22%) cases were confirmed with severe COVID-19, while 104 patients (57.78%) were divided into the non-severe group. Fever (56.67%, 102/180) and cough (50.00%, 90/180) were the common symptoms of COVID-19. The death rate was 18.89% (34/180), and severe pneumonia (44.12%, 15/34) and septic shock (23.53%, 8/34) represented the leading reasons for deaths. The older age population, a combination of hypertension and diabetes, the presence of pneumonia, and high levels of inflammatory markers were significantly associated with severity of COVID-19 development (P < 0.05 for all). Altered level of consciousness [odds ratio (OR) = 56.574, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.645–566.940, P = 0.001], high levels of neutrophils (OR = 1.341, 95%CI 1.109–1.621, P = 0.002) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR = 1.014, 95%CI 1.003–1.025, P = 0.016) might be indicators for COVID-19 deaths. Dexamethasone treatment could reduce mortality [30.36% (17/56) vs. 50.00% (10/20)] among severe COVID-19 cases, but the results were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).Conclusions:The development and prognosis of COVID-19 may be significantly correlated with consciousness status, and the levels of neutrophils and CRP.

Epicardial adipose tissue thickness is associated with increased COVID-19 severity and mortality.

BackgroundIncreased adiposity and visceral obesity have been linked to adverse COVID-19 outcomes. The amount of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) may have relevant implications given its proximity to the heart and lungs. Here, we explored the role of EAT in increasing the risk for COVID-19 adverse outcomes.MethodsWe included 748 patients with COVID-19 attending a reference center in Mexico City. EAT thickness, sub-thoracic and extra-pericardial fat were measured using thoracic CT scans. We explored the association of each thoracic adipose tissue compartment with COVID-19 mortality and severe COVID-19 (defined as mortality and need for invasive mechanical ventilation), according to the presence or absence of obesity. Mediation analyses evaluated the role of EAT in facilitating the effect of age, body mass index and cardiac troponin levels with COVID-19 outcomes.ResultsEAT thickness was associated with increased risk of COVID-19 mortality (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01–1.39) independent of age, gender, comorbid conditions and BMI. Increased EAT was associated with lower SpO2 and PaFi index and higher levels of cardiac troponins, D-dimer, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, and 4 C severity score, independent of obesity. EAT mediated 13.1% (95% CI 3.67–28.0%) and 5.1% (95% CI 0.19–14.0%) of the effect of age and 19.4% (95% CI 4.67–63.0%) and 12.8% (95% CI 0.03–46.0%) of the effect of BMI on requirement for intubation and mortality, respectively. EAT also mediated the effect of increased cardiac troponins on myocardial infarction during COVID-19.ConclusionEAT is an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 and mortality independent of obesity. EAT partly mediates the effect of age and BMI and increased cardiac troponins on adverse COVID-19 outcomes.

Efficacy and Safety of Remimazolam Tosilate versus Propofol for General Anesthesia in Cirrhotic Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Variceal Ligation.

IntroductionThe best candidate intravenous anesthetic agent for patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) remains unclear. Remimazolam tosilate (RT) is a new type of benzodiazepine with quick onset, rapid recovery, and no accumulation. Here, we investigated the efficacy and safety of RT for general anesthesia in cirrhotic patients undergoing EVL.MethodsPatients undergoing EVL were randomly classified into the remimazolam tosilate (group R) and the propofol group (group P). RT was administered as a slow bolus of 0.2 mg/kg for induction and followed by 1.0–2.0 mg/kg/h for maintenance of general anesthesia. Propofol was started at 2 mg/kg, followed by 4–10 mg/kg/h until the end of surgery. Flumazenil was routinely administered to group R and the same volume of saline was given to group P immediately after surgery. The efficacy and safety of RT for general anesthesia during EVL were compared with propofol.ResultsAll patients in the two groups had satisfactory anesthetic effects and the efficacy rates were 100%. The time to loss of consciousness (LoC) was longer in group R than in group P (P > 0.05). The return of consciousness (RoC) time, extubation time, and transfer time in group R were significantly shorter than that in group P (P < 0.05). The incidence of intraoperative hypotension and postoperative low SpO2 in group R were lower than that in the group P (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the satisfaction degree of patients and operators (P > 0.05).ConclusionRemimazolam tosilate can provide satisfactory anesthetic effects for surgery. Group R patients recovered faster and had a shorter PACU stay time than group P patients. Moreover, RT decreased the incidence of hypotension and low SpO2. RT was a safer and more effective alternative for general anesthesia in cirrhotic patients undergoing EVL than propofol.

Correlation Between Degree of Desaturation and Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is major Non Communicable Disease (NCD) which is becoming very common worldwide. The OSA results in day time hypersomnolence, nocturnal hypoxia and snoring. Repeated desaturation events during sleep results in aerobic metabolism at tissue level changing to anaerobic metabolism, which results in cellular inflammation and insulin resistance further complicating metabolic syndrome. Aim: To study correlation between degree of desaturation and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Pulmonary medicine at KS Hegde Medical Academy (tertiary care hospital), Mangaluru, Karnataka, India, from March 2018 to February 2021. Total 54 patients who underwent overnight polysomnography and diagnosed to have OSA were included in the study. The minimum recorded oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) defined as maximum desaturation was noted. Relative desaturation was defined as drop in saturation by 3% or more from the pre-event baseline. Correlation between total number of relative desaturation and Apnoea Hypopnea Index (AHI) was analysed. The correlation between two variables were analysed by Pearson’s correlation and the coefficient was calculated. The p-value was calculated by regression analysis and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results: Total of 54 patients was included in the study. Out of which, 22 were mild, 14 moderate and 18 severe OSA respectively. Number of relative desaturations recorded was from 0 to 636. The correlation between AHI and mean SpO2 in sleep was r-value=-0.4542 (p-value=0.001) and the correlation between AHI and minimum SpO2 was r-value=-0.45577 (p-value=0.001) respectively. Correlation between mean SpO2 and minimum SpO2 was r-value=0.747266 (p-value&lt;0.001) and the correlation between AHI and relative desaturation was r-value=0.876698 (p-value=0.001). Conclusion: As the severity of the obstructive sleep apnoea worsened, there was greater degree of desaturation in sleep and the lowest SpO2 was also observed during severe obstructive sleep apnoea.

Effects of patient-controlled analgesia using dexmedetomidine combined with sufentanil on caesarean section and hemodynamics

This study evaluates the effects of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) using dexmedetomidine combined with sufentanil on caesarean section and maternal hemodynamics. In this study, a total of 140 eligible puerperal are randomly divided into control and experimental groups (n=70). Control group has received PCA using sufentanil, while experimental group has received PCA using dexmedetomidine plus sufentanil. The analgesic and sedative effects have been evaluated using Bruggemann comfort scale(BCS) score and Ramsay score, respectively. Maternal hemodynamics-related indices heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) have been detected at the end of operation (T0), upon access to analgesic pump (T1), 24 h after access to analgesic pump (T2) and 48h after access to analgesic pump (T3). The incidence rates of postoperative complications were compared. It has been found that at T2 and T3, BCS and Experimental group had significantly higher Ramsay score and lower HR, SBP, DBP and SpO2 than those of control group (P<0.05). The incidence rate of complications in experimental group (5.71%) is found to be significantly lower than that of control group (22.86%) (P<0.05).

The Optimal Preoxygenation Target to Avoid Desaturation During Pediatric Rapid Sequence Intubation

<h3>Background</h3> Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is a critical procedure in the resuscitation of critically ill and injured patients but carries an important risk of oxygen desaturation. In the adult population, a target preoxygenation threshold of >93% has been defined. However, it is not known whether this is an appropriate target for pediatric patients. <h3>Objective</h3> To define a target preoxygenation threshold for pediatric RSI. <h3>Methods</h3> Our air medical agency includes 150 bases, with a flight RN/flight paramedic crew configuration. The pediatric RSI protocol includes the use of etomidate or ketamine for induction and either succinylcholine or rocuronium for paralysis. Up to 120 data elements are entered into the Institutions Airway Database for each RSI procedure. For this analysis, all pediatric patients (age <18 years) undergoing RSI between January 2015 and September 2019 were included. Separate analysis was performed for infants (0-2 years), young children (3-8 years), and older children (9-17 years). Patients werestratified by highest pre-attempt SpO2 value, with the rate of desaturation identified as the primary outcome measure. Desaturation was defined as decrease in SpO2 to <94% or a continued decrease by at least 2% if pre-attempt SpO2 value was <94%. A graphical analysis was performed to identify an inflection point below which substantially higher desaturation rates were observed. The desaturation rate for patients with pre-attempt SpO2 values above that threshold were compared to those below that threshold using chi-square analysis, with significance was set at p<0.05. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 1,116 patients were identified over the 57-month period (infant n=247, young children n=250, older children n=619). A clear desaturation rate inflection point was observed with pre-attempt SpO2 values of 97% or greater. For patients with pre-attempt SpO2 values of <97%, the desaturation rate was 59.2% as compared to 12.8% with pre-attempt SpO2 values of 97% or greater (OR 9.8, 95% CI 6.9-14.1, p<0.0001). These results were similar across the three age groups. <h3>Conclusions</h3> These data support a higher preoxygenation target of 97% or greater with pediatric RSI. Limitations include the observational nature of the analysis and the possibility that lower pre-attempt SpO2 is a surrogate for more a difficult airway.

STOP-BANG: a Mandatory Tool for Targeted Respiratory Therapy in Bariatric Patients

Identification of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and high respiratory risk, optimization of the screening algorithm for these patients and administration of preventive non-invasive lung ventilation, makes it possible to prevent the development of perioperative complications, reduce duration of hospital stay and reduce mortality in patients undergoing surgery and bariatric surgery specifically.The objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of STOP-BANG questionnaire for preventive targeted respiratory therapy to reduce the risk of complications in bariatric patients. Subjects and Methods. We examined 60 patients with BMI above 30 kg/m2 referred to elective secondary surgery, the age made 44.2 ± 10.1 years, 23 men and 37 women. Before the operation, patients underwent STOP-BANG questionnaire survey, night respiratory monitoring with the calculation of the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and/or saturation during sleep. The standard preoperative examination included clinical and biochemical analyzes.Results. Based on results of STOP-BANG survey, a correlation was revealed between the score and AHI as well as the score and average saturation. The higher score the patients had according to the STOP-BANG questionnaire, the higher AHI was (r = 0.4748, p = 0.002), and the lower mean SpO2 was (r = -0.6958, p &lt; 0.001). Using the ROC analysis, we chose the optimal threshold value - 4 points according to STOP-BANG questionnaire, where the sensitivity of the method was 93% for the AHI, the specificity was 56%, and for the average saturation it was 100% and 63%, respectively. Of the total number of bariatric patients included in the study, 30% required preventive ventilation. In the high respiratory risk group, no significant intraoperative incidents and deaths were reported by the surgical and anesthetic teams. All patients were discharged on time (5‒7 days). Based on the results, a screening procedure has been offered for bariatric patients with high respiratory risk associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.Conclusion. The STOP-BANG questionnaire is a reliable screening tool for high respiratory risk in morbid obese patients. Early diagnosis of high respiratory risk and implementation of preventive ventilation reduces the incidence of perioperative respiratory and cardiovascular complications.

COVID-19 Positivity Rate among the Students and Faculty of RajarajeswariDental College &amp; Hospital, Bangalore During the Peak of Second Wave afterTwo Standard Doses of Covishield Vaccine - A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background and aims The COVID-19 is an ongoing global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARS-CoV-2. It is one of the deadliest pandemics in history. As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to spread at an alarming rate globally various vaccines were developed with international standards. COVISHIELDtrade vaccine the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was the first vaccine which the Government of India gave permission to be administered among all the health care workers irrespective of their age group. To evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of the COVISHIELDtrade ChAdOx1 nCoV- 19 vaccination there is a need to study the occurrence of COVID-19 infection in vaccinated individuals. Aim of this present study was to evaluate the COVID-19 positivity rate among the students and faculty of Rajarajeswari Dental College amp Hospital Bengaluru during the peak of second wave after administering two standard doses of COVISHIELDtrade vaccine.Methods A questionnaire study was designed and distributed four weeks post the second standard dose of COVISHIELDtrade vaccination. This study included all the staff and students of Rajarajeswari Dental College amp Hospital who were vaccinated with two standard doses of COVISHIELDtrade vaccine. It was distributed as a google form to all the study subjects. The medium of instruction of the questionnaire was English. The questionnaire had two parts. To avoid bias most of the questions were framed in such a way that only lsquoyesrsquo or lsquonorsquo responses can be provided as answers. This study consisted of a total of 650 subjects which included undergraduates post graduates teaching and non-teaching staff. The obtained data was subjected to statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS software.Results Six hundred and fifty subjects were screened for the study out of which 607 subjects were vaccinated. Out of 607 subjects 32 patients were tested COVID-19 positive after taking two standard doses of COVISHIELDtrade vaccine while 575 subjects were found to be COVID-19 negative after taking two standard doses of COVISHIELDtrade vaccination. Out of 32 subjects who tested positive only one subject showed a low SpO2 and required hospitalization with oxygen support. Rest of the positive subjects showed mild to moderate symptoms requiring only home quarantine.Conclusion Within the limitations of this study it can be concluded that the positivity rate for coronavirus disease among health care providers and frontline workers vaccinated with two standard doses of COVISHIELDtrade vaccine was very less compared to positivity rate in the general population during the second wave.nbsp

COVID-19 in the Emergency Department of the Primary Healthcare Centre Banja Luka

Background / Aim: COVID-19 is acute virus disease caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It was proclaimed as pandemic starting from March 2020 and is still ongoing. COVID-19 pandemic forced all segments of the society, particularly the health sector, to function in changed and aggravating circumstances and because of the transmission and new strains of the virus it resulted in the change of the number of infected people with peaks and oscillations. Aim of this study was to make analysis of the data related to COVID-19 positive/suspect patients examined in the Primary Healthcare Centre Banja Luka in the period 15 March 2020 - 15 March 2021, which refers to the incidence of the infected persons, sex and age representation, laboratory diagnostics and clinical parameters, applied therapy, as well as the number of patients sent for the hospital treatment. Methods: Data for the analysis were obtained by the retrospective analysis of the statistical data from the electronic medical record of the examined COVID-19 positive/suspect patients in the Outpatient Clinic for Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) and in the field. Pearson's ch2 test of contingency was used for the comparison of differences of the observed characteristics of the examined groups. Results: Personnel of the Emergency Department (ED) of the Primary Healthcare Centre Banja Luka, in the period 15 March 2020 - 15 March 2021, examined the total of 3,937 COVID-19 positive patients and patients suspect of COVID-19. Out of that number, 3,601 patients were examined in the ED - ARI and 336 patients were examined in the field. The biggest number of patients was registered in November 2020 (768). Male sex prevailed (55.50 %) and patients of 20-50 years of age were most represented. There were 3.10 % of those highly febrile patients and 2.5 % of those with low SpO2 of under 90 %. 14.90 % of patients had higher values of troponin T and 45.50 % of them had higher values of D-dimer. In the field, 69.60 % of patients had pathological changes on lungs and 33.30 % had pathological ECG report. The number of patients sent from the ARI for further diagnostic procedure or hospitalisation to the Clinic for Infectious Diseases of the University Clinical Centre of Banja Luka was 1,191 and 258 patients were sent from the field. Conclusion: For the purpose of preventing the spread of epidemics, the ED reorganised the existing space by introducing temporary clinics - containers for the patients with acute respiratory infections and febrile status, COVID-19 suspects. Clinical parameters changed depending on the new virus strains, as well as on age distribution and infection complications.

Neurometabolic Therapy in Patients with Encephalopathy Associated with COVID-19

The objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of neurometabolic therapy in patients with severe course of the new coronavirus infection of COVID-19 complicated by the development of encephalopathy.Subjects and Methods. A pilot prospective study was carried out with the participation of 61 patients with a severe course of COVID-19 complicated by encephalopathy. The patients were randomized into two groups: the study group (n = 34), the patients in which, in contrast to the control group (n = 27), received Cytoflavin in addition to the main therapy in a daily dose of up to 40 ml for 5 days. The dynamics of the general and neurological status was assessed on days 3‒4 and 6‒7 days of treatment using the NEWS (National Early Warning Score), Glasgow coma and ICDSC (Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist) scales. Additionally, the blood level of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) was investigated at baseline and on days 6‒7.Results. Patients in most cases were elderly or senile with a high comorbidity index (up to 4 points according to Charlson). The persistence of delirious symptoms correlated with their age and low SpO2 levels. In half of the cases (50.8%), the disease had an unfavorable outcome. In the study group, by the 6‒7th day of treatment, there was a significant positive dynamics of the general condition, assessed by the NEWS scale (p = 0.012), a tendency towards a faster recovery of the overall score on the Glasgow scale (p = 0.083), a tendency towards more rapid regression of delirious symptoms by ICDSC scale (p = 0.055) versus the comparison group.Conclusions. Given the high risk of an unfavorable outcome in patients with a severe course of COVID-19 complicated by the development of encephalopathy, the additional use of Cytoflavin is advisable since it contributes to the regression of the symptoms of encephalopathy and may have a positive effect on the course of the disease.

The effect of osteopathic correction on the function of external respiration in patients after &lt;i&gt;COVID&lt;/i&gt; -19 coronavirus pneumonia

Introduction. The 2019 coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus strain (SARS-CoV-2) posed a serious threat to public health around the world. Postcoid syndrome (post-COVID-19 condition, according to ICD-10 code U09 State after COVID-19 or Postcoid state, Postcoid syndrome) is a pathological condition after a coronavirus infection, accompanied by cardio-respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, metabolic disorders. According to a number of studies, osteopathic methods of correction increase the lymph flow, immunological protection of the body, help to reduce pain, reduce the restriction of mobility in the chest, and therefore improve the function of external respiration. There are practically no studies that allow assessing the effect of osteopathic correction methods on the function of external respiration at the modern evidence-based level in patients who have undergone COVID pneumonia.The aim was to study the effect of a single procedure of osteopathic correction on the function of external respiration in patients during the rehabilitation period after coronavirus pneumonia.Materials and methods. On the basis of the Primorsky Institute of Vertebroneurology and Manual Medicine (Vladivostok) the rehabilitation of patients after coronavirus pneumonia was carried out using osteopathic correction. The study included 73 patients over the age of 60 years with varying degrees of lung damage and impaired respiratory function. To assess the function of external respiration, spirometry was performed and the vital capacity of the lungs was assessed; pulse oximetry was performed to measure the saturation of arterial blood hemoglobin with oxygen (SpO2). Osteopathic testing and treatment were carried out according to clinical guidelines, and the biomechanics of the chest was additionally investigated. The Statistica-10 software package was used for the statistical analysis of the obtained data.Results. Osteopathic examination revealed the presence of local somatic dysfunctions in 98,8 % of patients (spinal dysfunction, rib dysfunction, diaphragm dysfunction). 87,6 % of patients were diagnosed with regional somatic dysfunctions of thoracic region. Global somatic dysfunctions were diagnosed in 78,4 % of patients. After a single procedure of osteopathic correction, patients had a statistically significant improvement of the external respiration function, manifested in an increase in vital capacity from 78,27±2,79 to 85,36±3,38 % (p=0,0006). Also, the effectiveness of osteopathic correction is confirmed by a significant increase in the average hemoglobin saturation of arterial blood with oxygen. Thus, in patients with low SpO2 levels, the index increased from 94,21±0,21 to 95,09±0,3 % (p=0,02). After a single osteopathic correction procedure, the number of patients with local somatic dysfunctions decreased from 98,8 to 17,7 %; global somatic dysfunctions were revealed only in 16,3 % of patients. All patients noted an improvement in their general condition, a decrease in symptoms of respiratory discomfort and shortness of breath, and an increase in chest excursion.Conclusion. A single procedure of somatic dysfunctions' osteopathic correction in patients after coronavirus pneumonia leads to a statistically significant improvement in respiratory function. The vital capacity and the oxygen saturation of the blood increase in patients. This is caused by the increase of the mobility of the chest (increase in its excursion), diaphragm, ribs, spine. The obtained results allow recommend the inclusion of osteopathic correction in the rehabilitation programs for patients who have undergone coronavirus infection.

Association between Prehospital Hypoxemia and Admission to Intensive Care Unit during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the association between prehospital peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and intensive care unit (ICU) admission in confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) patients. Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective cohort study on patients requiring prehospital intervention between 11 March 2020 and 4 May 2020. All adult patients in whom a diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia was suspected by the prehospital physician were included. Patients who presented a prehospital confounding respiratory diagnosis and those who were not eligible for ICU admission were excluded. The main exposure was “Low SpO2” defined as a value < 90%. The primary outcome was 48-h ICU admission. Secondary outcomes were 48-h mortality and 30-day mortality. We analyzed the association between low SpO2 and ICU admission or mortality with univariable and multivariable regression models. Results: A total of 145 patients were included. A total of 41 (28.3%) patients had a low prehospital SpO2 and 21 (14.5%) patients were admitted to the ICU during the first 48 h. Low SpO2 was associated with an increase in ICU admission (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.2–10.0), which remained significant after adjusting for sex and age (aOR = 5.2, 95% CI = 1.8–15.4). Mortality was higher in low SpO2 patients at 48 h (OR = 7.1 95% CI 1.3–38.3) and at 30 days (OR = 3.9, 95% CI 1.4–10.7). Conclusions: In our physician-staffed prehospital system, first low prehospital SpO2 values were associated with a higher risk of ICU admission during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Airflow restriction mask induces greater central fatigue after a non-exhaustive high-intensity interval exercise.

The airflow restriction mask (ARM) is a practical and inexpensive device for respiratory muscle training. Wearing an ARM has recently been combined with high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), but its effect on neuromuscular fatigue is unknown. The present study investigated the effects of ARM wearing on neuromuscular fatigue after an HIIE session. Fourteen healthy men performed two HIIE sessions (4×4min at 90% HRmax , 3min recovery at 70% HRmax ) with or without an ARM. Neuromuscular fatigue was quantified via pre- to post-HIIE changes in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), voluntary activation (VA, central fatigue), and potentialized evoked twitch force at 100, 10, and 1Hz (peripheral fatigue). Blood pH and lactate were measured before and after the HIIE session, while HR, SpO2 , dyspnea, physical sensation of effort (P-RPE), and Task Effort and Awareness (TEA) were recorded every bout. The exercise-induced decrease in MVC was higher (p<0.05) in the ARM (-28±12%) than in the Control condition (-20±11%). The VA decreased (p<0.05) in the ARM (-11±11%) but not in the control condition (-4±5%, p>0.05). Pre- to post-HIIE declines in evoked twitch at 100, 10, and 1Hz were similar (p>0.05) between ARM and control conditions (ARM: -18±10, -43±11 and -38±12%; Control: -18±14, -43±12 and -37±17%). When compared with the control, the HIIE bout wearing ARM was marked by higher heart rate, plasma lactate concentration, dyspnea, P-RPE and TEA, as well as lower SpO2 and blood pH. In conclusion, ARM increases perceptual and physiological stress during a HIIE, which may lead to a greater post-exercise central fatigue.

Age and clinical signs as predictors of COVID-19 symptoms and cycle threshold value

ABSTRACT Many COVID-19 infected people remain asymptomatic, and hence the diagnosis at first presentation remains a challenge. Assessment at a presentation in primary care settings is usually done by visual triaging and basic clinical examination. This retrospective study involved investigating the medical e-records of COVID-19 positive patients who presented to a COVID-19 centre in Qatar for July 2020. The presence (symptomatic group) or the absence (asymptomatic group) of symptoms along with objective vital examination ( ie ; heart-rate (HR), temperature, haemoglobin saturation (SpO2)) were analysed and linked to the viral load ( ie ; cycle threshold (Ct)) of COVID-19 positive patients. Four hundred eighty-one symptomatic (230 males) and 216 asymptomatic (101 males) patients were included. Compared to the asymptomatic male group, the symptomatic male group was older, had lower Ct value and SpO2, and higher temperature and HR. Compared to the females asymptomatic group, the symptomatic females group had lower Ct value, and higher temperature. Compared to the asymptomatic group, the symptomatic group had lower Ct value and SpO2, and higher temperature and HR. Compared to the asymptomatic group, the symptomatic group had lower Ct values (age groups [21–30], [31–40], [41–50] and [51–60]), higher temperature (age groups [21–30] and [31–40], Ct ranges [20.01–25.00] and [25.01–30.00]), higher HR (age groups [21–30] and [31–40], Ct range [15.01–20.00]); and lower SpO2 (age groups [41–50] and [51–60], Ct ranges [15.01–20.00] and [35.01–40.00]). Compared with asymptomatic patients, symptomatic patients with COVID-19 are most likely to be febrile, tachycardic, hypoxic and having higher viral load. Higher viral load was associated with higher HR, higher temperature, lower SpO2, but there was no relation between viral load and age.

Nasal obstruction during the growth period modulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and brain-derived neurotrophic factor production in association with tyrosine kinase receptor B mRNA reduction in mouse hippocampus.

There is accumulating evidence that nasal obstruction induces high‐level brain dysfunction, including memory and learning deficits. We previously demonstrated that unilateral nasal obstruction (UNO) during the growth period increases the expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The expression of BDNF is regulated by the Wnt/β‐Catenin pathway, which is linked to neuronal differentiation, proliferation, and maintenance. However, little is known about whether Wnt3a protein expression could be an index for modulations analyses in the Wnt/β‐Catenin pathway caused by UNO during the growth period. This study aimed to investigate the effects of UNO during the growth period on the Wnt/β‐Catenin pathway in the hippocampus using combined behavioural, biochemical, and histological approaches. Male BALB/C mice were randomly divided into the control (CONT; n = 6) and experimental (UNO; n = 6) groups. Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels were measured, and a passive avoidance test was performed in mice aged 15 weeks. Brain tissues were subjected to immunohistochemistry, real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis. Compared with control mice, UNO mice had lower SpO2 levels and exhibited memory/learning impairments during behavioural testing. Moreover, Wnt3a protein, BDNF mRNA, and tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) mRNA expression levels were significantly lower in the hippocampus in the UNO group than in the CONT group. Our findings suggested that UNO during the growth period appeared to modulate the hippocampal Wnt/β‐catenin pathway and BDNF production in association with TrkB mRNA reduction, thereby resulting in memory and learning impairments.

High-flow nasal oxygenation reduces the risk of desaturation in adults receiving procedural sedation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundProcedural sedation reduces patients’ discomfort and anxiety, facilitating performance of the examination and intervention. However, it may also cause adverse events, including airway obstruction and hypoxia. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of high-flow nasal oxygenation (HFNO) compared with that of standard oxygen therapy in adult patients undergoing procedural sedation.MethodsWe identified randomized controlled trials published before November 2020 based on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases and ClinicalTrials.gov registry. Intraprocedural desaturation [peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) < 90%] was evaluated as the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were the lowest SpO2, need for airway intervention, oxygen therapy-related complications, and patient, operator, and anesthetist’s satisfaction.ResultsSix trials with a total of 2633 patients were reviewed. Patients using HFNO compared with standard oxygen therapy had a significantly lower risk of intraprocedural desaturation [risk ratio 0.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04-0.87]. The lowest intraprocedural SpO2 in HFNO group was significantly higher than that in standard oxygen therapy group (mean difference 4.19%, 95% CI 1.74-6.65).ConclusionsCompared with standard oxygen therapy, HFNO may reduce the risk of desaturation and increase the lowest SpO2 in adult patients undergoing sedation for medical procedures.

High-flow nasal cannula for reducing hypoxemic events in patients undergoing bronchoscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Patients undergoing bronchoscopic procedures may develop hypoxemia and severe complications. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) may prevent hypoxemic events during bronchoscopy. We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effectiveness of HFNC in these patients. We conducted a search in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for RCTs published before November 2021. Individual effect sizes were standardized, and a meta-analysis was performed to calculate the pooled effect size using random-effects models. The primary outcome was the incidence of hypoxemic events (oxygen saturation [SpO2] < 90%) during bronchoscopy. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of interrupted bronchoscopy due to desaturation, lowest SpO2 during bronchoscopy, partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) at the end of bronchoscopy, and the incidence of intubation after the procedure. Five trials involving 257 patients were reviewed. The incidence of hypoxemic events was lower in the HFNC group than in the conventional oxygen therapy group (risk ratio, 0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-0.42). The lowest SpO2 during the procedure was significantly higher in the HFNC group than in the conventional oxygen therapy group (weighted mean difference [WMD], 7.12; 95% CI, 5.39-8.84). PaO2 at the end of the procedure was significantly higher in the HFNC group than in the conventional oxygen therapy group (WMD, 20.36; 95% CI, 0.30-40.42). The incidence of interrupted bronchoscopy due to desaturation, PaCO2 and EtCO2 at the end of the procedure, and the incidence of intubation after the procedure were not significantly different between groups. HFNC may reduce the incidence of hypoxemic events and improve oxygenation in patients undergoing bronchoscopy.

Serum HMGB1, DKK1, and ACE2 as a Function of Lung Injuries in COVID-19 Patients

There is a need for a biomarker for lung injury in COVID-19 patients. In the present study, an attempt was carried out to examine the role of Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), High-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a function for the lung abnormalities in CT-scan (LACTS). To perform the goals, DKK1, HMGB1, and ACE2 were measured in patients and controls using the ELISA technique. In contrast, other parameters were measured spectrophotometrically. The results showed decreased SpO2 and albumin and an increase in the serum biochemical parameters (glucose, urea, creatinine, D-dimer, ACE2, DKK1, and HMGB1) in COVID-19 patients compared with the control group. In COVID-19 patients, the percentages of the lung abnormalities in CT-scan% are 40.67±11.84. The results showed that those patients with LACTS patients are slightly older and have lower SpO2 than the patients without the LACTS group. ACE2 shows a significant correlation with SpO2 (ρ = 0.336, p&lt;0.01) and a negative correlation with albumin (ρ = -0.197, p&lt;0.05). Other parameters showed no significant correlation with the measured biomarkers. In conclusion, COVID-19 patients have higher ACE, DKK1, and HMGB1 indicating the involvement of the pathways of these biomarkers in the disease progression including lung injury.

Correlation between Arterial Blood Oxygen Saturation, Underlying Diseases and Clinical Signs of COVID-19 Patients with Their Final Outcome

Introduction: COVID-19 can rapidly cause lung damage and severe respiratory distress and subsequently reduce oxygen saturation (SPO2), especially in generally ill patients, which may be exacerbated if severe clinical symptoms or underlying diseases are added. This may lead to deterioration of blood oxygenation or even increase the risk of death when severe clinical symptoms or underlying diseases are present. Therefore, the aim of this study was to Evaluation of the relationship between arterial blood oxygen saturation level and outcome in COVID-19 patients.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 250 patients referred to Imam Sari Hospital with symptoms of respiratory infection, gastrointestinal, and general symptoms in January 2020 to September 2020. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.Results: 27 out of 250 patients died. There is a positive correlation between systemic patient, SPO2 and less than 90% with death results (P&lt;0/02). Patients with heart disease (44.4%), cancer (30.1%), diabetes (11.1%), cerebrovascular accident (18.5%) died (P&lt;0/05). There was no positive correlation between weakness, fever, dyspnea, nausea, and diarrhea and appetite loss with death.Conclusion: Based on the present study, it was found that patients whose clinical symptoms were associated with underlying disease and SPO2 to a severe and critical degree had a higher risk of adverse outcome such as death. People with underlying conditions such as DM, CVD, HTN, and a history of angiography and cancer are also more likely to die due to COVID-19. Most deaths in the present study had low SPO2 at before admission, indicating a strong association between patient mortality and severity of lung involvement and low SPO2.

Emphysema-Predominant COPD Had a Greater 5-Year Mortality and a Worse Annual Decline in Lung Function Than Airway Obstruction-Predominant COPD or Asthma at Initial Same Degree of Airflow Obstruction.

Background and Objectives: We studied whether the extent of exertional oxygen desaturation and emphysema could cause greater mortality in COPD and asthma independent of airflow obstruction. Materials and Methods: We performed a 5-year longitudinal observational study in COPD and asthma patients who matched for airflow obstruction severity. All subjects performed a 6-min walk test (6MWT) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and followed spirometry and oxygen saturation (SpO2) during the 6MWT every 3–6 months. Overall survival was recorded. Cumulative survival curves were performed according to the Kaplan–Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Results: The COPD group had higher emphysema scores, higher Δinspiratory capacities (ICs) and lower SpO2 during the 6MWT, which showed a greater yearly decline in FEV1 (40.6 mL) and forced vital capacity (FVC) (28 mL) than the asthma group (FEV1, 9.6 mL; FVC, 1.2 mL; p < 0.05). The emphysema-predominant COPD group had an accelerated annual decline in lung function and worse survival. The nadir SpO2 ≤ 80% and a higher emphysema score were the strong risk factors for mortality in COPD patients. Conclusions: The greater structural changes with a higher emphysema score and greater desaturation during the 6MWT in COPD may contribute to worse yearly decline in FEV1 and higher five-year mortality than in asthma patients with a similar airflow obstruction. The lowest SpO2 ≤ 80% during the 6MWT and emphysema-predominant COPD were the strong independent factors for mortality in chronic obstructive airway disease patients.