Society Of Internal Medicine Research Articles

Consensus on the management of hyperkalemia in patients with heart failure: Recommendations from the SEC-SEMI

Use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction is associated with functional improvement, an increase in perceived quality of life, a reduction in the probability of cardiovascular death, and a decrease in the number of hospitalizations. Some of these drugs are also efficacious in patients with chronic kidney disease and albuminuria as well as in patients with resistant hypertension. Despite their numerous benefits, RAASi are associated with an increase in incidence of hyperkalemia, especially in patients with concomitant chronic kidney disease. Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disorder that is defined as an elevation in plasma concentrations of potassium above 5 mEq/L. It has been related to rehospitalizations, malignant arrhythmias, and an increase in mortality. On the other hand, optimized treatment with RAASi requires progressive dose increases which can in turn entail a greater probability of hyperkalemia. For all of these reasons, it is necessary to establish management and treatment guidelines for these patients. This consensus document arises from this objective. Its recommendations have been developed by a group of ten experts and reviewed by a panel of another ten specialists in the treatment of patients with HF (ten cardiologists and ten internists in total). This document has been endorsed by the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC, for its initials in Spanish) and the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI, for its initials in Spanish).

Impact of implementing a Choosing Wisely educational intervention into clinical practice: The CW-SIMI study (a multicenter-controlled study)

To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention based on the Italian Society of Internal Medicine Choosing Wisely (CW-SIMI) recommendations. Multicenter, interventional, controlled study. Twenty-three acute-care hospital wards in Italy. 303 Physicians working in internal medicine wards. An online educational course. The rate of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescriptions, the number of days of central venous catheter (CVC) usage, and the duration of intravenous (IV) antibiotic prescriptions evaluated at one month (T1) and at six months (T2) after course completion. Patients admitted and discharged during a 30-day period before the educational intervention (T0, one year before T2) were considered the comparison group. A total of 232 physicians completed the course, while 71 did not attend the course. Data from 608, 662, and 555 patients were analyzed at T0, T1, and T2, respectively. The rate of PPI prescriptions declined at one month (RR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.52-0.87, p=0.0005) and at six months (RR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.46-0.84, p=0.003), and the number of days of CVC usage was reduced at six months (9.13 days at T0 vs. 5.52 days at T2, p=0.007). The duration of IV antibiotic prescriptions displayed a decreasing trend (7.94 days at T0 vs. 7.42 days at T2, p=0.081). A simple online educational intervention based on the CW-SIMI recommendations was associated with a clinically relevant reduction in the usage of PPIs and CVCs. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and a possible benefit on patients' outcomes.

Regional disparity of certified teaching hospitals on physicians\u2019 workload and wages, and popularity among medical students in Japan

BackgroundRegional disparities in the working conditions of medical doctors have not been fully assessed in Japan. We aimed to clarify these differences in hospital characteristics: doctors’ workload, wages, and popularity among medical students by city population sizes.MethodsWe targeted 423 teaching hospitals certified by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and assessed the working conditions of physicians specializing in internal medicine. We calculated their workload (the annual number of discharged patients per physician) and retrieved data on junior residents’ monthly wages from the Resinavi Book which is popular among medical students in Japan to know the teaching hospital’s information and each hospital’s website. Furthermore, we explored the interim matching rate of each hospital as its popularity among medical students. Next, we classified cities in which all hospitals were located into eight groups based on their population size and compared the characteristics of these hospitals using a one-way analysis of variance.ResultsThe average workload was 110.3, while the average workload in hospitals located in most populated cities (≥ 2,000,000) was 88.4 (p < 0.05). The average monthly wage was 351,199 Japanese yen, while that in most populated cities was 305,635.1 Japanese yen. The average popularity (matching rate) was 101.9%, and the rate in most populated areas was 142.7%, which was significantly higher than in other areas.ConclusionsHospitals in most populated areas had significantly lower workloads and wages; however, they were more popular among medical students than those in other areas. This study was the first to quantify the regional disparities in physicians’ working conditions in Japan, and such disparities need to be corrected.

Use of Lipid-Lowering Drugs and Associated Outcomes According to Health State Profiles in Hospitalized Older Patients.

ObjectiveTo assess how lipid-lowering drugs (LLDs) are administered in the hospitalized patients aged 65 and older and their association with clinical outcomes according to their health-related profiles.DesignThis is a retrospective study based on data from REPOSI (REgistro POliterapie SIMI – Italian Society of Internal Medicine) register, an Italian network of internal medicine hospital wards.Setting and ParticipantsA total of 4642 patients with a mean age of 79 years enrolled between 2010 and 2018.MethodsSocio-demographic characteristics, functional abilities, cognitive skills, laboratory parameters and comorbidities were used to investigate the health state profiles by using multiple correspondence analysis and clustering. Logistic regression was used to assess whether LLD prescription was associated with patients’ health state profiles and with short-term mortality.ResultsFour clusters of patients were identified according to their health state: two of them (Cluster III and IV) were the epitome of frailty conditions with poor short-term outcomes, whereas the others included healthier patients. The average prevalence of LLD use was 27.6%. The lowest prevalence was found among the healthier patients in Cluster I and among the oldest frail patients with severe functional and cognitive impairment in Cluster IV. The highest prevalence was among multimorbid patients in Cluster III (OR=4.50, 95% CI=3.76–5.38) characterized by a high cardiovascular risk. Being prescribed with LLDs was associated with a lower 3-month mortality, even after adjusting for cluster assignment (OR=0.59; 95% CI = 0.44–0.80).ConclusionThe prevalence of LLD prescription was low and in overall agreement with guideline recommendations and with respect to patients’ health state profiles.

Evolución de la asociación de diabetes y eventos posalta en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca crónica descompensada: hallazgos del registro RICA

AimsHeart failure (HF) and diabetes are 2strongly associated diseases. The main objective of this work was to analyze changes in the prognosis of patients with diabetes who were admitted for heart failure in 2time periods. MethodsThis work is a prospective study comparing prognosis at one year of follow-up among patients with diabetes who were hospitalized for HF in either 2008-2011 or 2018. The patients are from the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine's National Heart Failure Registry (RICA, for its initials in Spanish). The primary endpoint was to analyze the composite outcome of total mortality and/or readmission due to HF in 12 months. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to evaluate the strength of association (hazard ratio [HR]) between diabetes and the outcomes between both periods. ResultsA total of 936 patients were included in the 2018 cohort, of which 446 (48%) had diabetes. The baseline characteristics of the populations from the 2periods were similar. In patients with diabetes, the composite outcome was observed in 233 (47.5%) in the 2008-2011 cohort and 162 (36%) in the 2018 cohort [HR 1.48; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.18-1.85; p<.001]. The proportion of readmissions (HR 1.39; 95%CI 1.07-1.80; p=.015) and total mortality (HR 1.60; 95%CI 1.20-2.14; p<.001) were also significantly higher in patients with diabetes from the 2008-2011 cohort compared to the 2018 cohort. ConclusionsIn 2018, an improvement was observed in the prognosis for all-cause mortality and readmissions over one year of follow-up in patients with diabetes hospitalized for HF compared to the 2008-2011 period.

Management of patients with digestive diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Russian scientific medical society of internal medicine (RSMSIM) and the Gastroenterological Scientific Society of Russia (2nd edition)

The presented clinical practice guidelines of the Gastroenterological Scientific Society of Russia (GSSR), diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for patients with digestive diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines were approved by the XXIII Congress of the GSSR and the 22nd International Slavonic-Baltic Scientifi c Forum “St. Petersburg - Gastro-2020 ON-LINE” (St. Petersburg, June 11, 2020). The presented clinical practice guidelines of the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internal Medicine (RSMSIM) and the Gastroenterological Scientific Society of Russia (GSSR), diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for patients with digestive diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations were approved at the XV National Congress of Internal Medicine, XXIII Congress of NOGR on the basis of the 1st edition, adopted at the 22nd International Slavic- Baltic Scientific Forum “St. Petersburg - Gastro-2020 ON-LINE”.

Recommendations on the comprehensive, multidimensional assessment of hospitalized elderly people. Position of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine

This position paper describes the most relevant and essential aspects of a comprehensive, multidimensional assessment of hospitalized elderly people. The change in demographic patterns and the epidemiological profiles of diseases makes it necessary for internal medicine departments to adapt in order to take into account the vulnerabilities of the elderly in this context.A comprehensive, multidimensional assessment and the multidisciplinary development of a care plan during hospitalization can have an impact in terms of preventing mortality, disability, and institutionalization at discharge. It is necessary for all internists to acquire skills to improve the hospitalization experience in the elderly and obtain better health outcomes in our patients. This document has been developed by the Focus Group on Aging and the Polypathological and Advanced Age Working Group and endorsed by the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine.

Which are the most prevalent ethical conflicts for Spanish internists?

Background and objectiveClinicians face a multitude of ethical conflicts in their daily practice. There have been no studies on the types of ethical conflicts encountered most frequently and that are of most concern to clinicians in Spain. The aim of this study is to report the most common ethical conflicts faced by Spanish internists, as well as the importance that the practitioners attribute to each conflict. Materials and MethodsOur observational cross-sectional study employed a voluntary and anonymous survey aimed at Spanish medical internists and distributed through an ad hoc platform of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. ResultsThe most common and relevant ethical issues for Spanish internists are related to patients’ end of life (decisions limiting therapeutic effort, use of palliative treatments, the establishment of do-not-resuscitate orders), the conflicts arising within the doctor-patient/family relationship, and making decisions with noncompetent patients. These results are similar to those of other English and European series. The ethical problems further complicate the healthcare activity of clinicians who more often notice these problems (50.3%) than those who do not notice them (16%). ConclusionsThe most common and relevant ethical conflicts among Spanish internists are related to managing patients’ end of life, followed by those related to the doctor-patient relationship and the management of noncompetent patients. It is essential that training programs be designed to better address and recognise these problems.

Obesity is a chronic disease. Positioning statement of the Diabetes, Obesity and Nutrition Workgroup of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) for an approach centred on individuals with obesity

BackgroundObesity is a chronic, complex and multifactorial metabolic disease involved in the development of chronic noncommunicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The care of individuals with obesity is an essential part of the holistic approach provided by internal medicine to patients. Material and methodsBetween September 2019 and January 2020, we distributed an online survey to the members of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. We prepared a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats analysis using the responses and, using the nominal group technique, developed the recommendations. ResultsWe obtained 599 responses. The respondents mean age was 44.4 ± 11 years, and 52.1% were women. Some 91.8% of the internists evaluate their patients to rule out the comorbidities associated with obesity, mainly type 2 diabetes mellitus (96.2%), cardiovascular disease (88.9%) and obesity-associated hypoventilation syndrome (73%), among others. Some 79.9% provided indications on lifestyle changes. Some 64.1% and 74.9% of the respondents knew the indications for the drugs and bariatric surgery, respectively. Some 93.8% and 83% of the respondents considered obesity and excess weight a chronic disease, and 88.7% considered it a disease of specific interest to internists, who should take an active and leading role in its treatment (85.3%). ConclusionsThe objective of the present document is to determine the degree of understanding and sensitivity of internists regarding the management of obesity and to develop a consensus of recommendations for the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine based on the scientific evidence and the opinion of its members.

Trends in US Internal Medicine Residency and Fellowship Applications During the COVID-19 Pandemic vs Previous Years

This cross-sectional study evaluates the number of applicants and number of applications submitted per applicant to internal medicine residency and subspecialty fellowships for 2021 compared with 5 prior application cycles.

Clinical factors associated with death in 3044 COVID-19 patients managed in internal medicine wards in Italy: results from the SIMI-COVID-19 study of the Italian Society of Internal Medicine (SIMI).

During the COVID-19 2020 outbreak, a large body of data has been provided on general management and outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Yet, relatively little is known on characteristics and outcome of patients managed in Internal Medicine Units (IMU). To address this gap, the Italian Society of Internal Medicine has conducted a nationwide cohort multicentre study on death outcome in adult COVID-19 patients admitted and managed in IMU. This study assessed 3044 COVID-19 patients at 41 referral hospitals across Italy from February 3rd to May 8th 2020. Demographics, comorbidities, organ dysfunction, treatment, and outcomes including death were assessed. During the study period, 697 patients (22.9%) were transferred to intensive care units, and 351 died in IMU (death rate 14.9%). At admission, factors independently associated with in-hospital mortality were age (OR 2.46, p = 0.000), productive cough (OR 2.04, p = 0.000), pre-existing chronic heart failure (OR 1.58, p = 0.017) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 1.17, p = 0.048), the number of comorbidities (OR 1.34, p = 0.000) and polypharmacy (OR 1.20, p = 0.000). Of note, up to 40% of elderly patients did not report fever at admission. Decreasing PaO2/FiO2 ratio at admission was strongly inversely associated with survival. The use of conventional oxygen supplementation increased with the number of pre-existing comorbidities, but it did not associate with better survival in patients with PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 100. The latter, significantly benefited by the early use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Our study identified PaO2/FiO2 ratio at admission and comorbidity as the main alert signs to inform clinical decisions and resource allocation in non-critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to IMU.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11739-021-02742-8.

Attitude towards vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 : Survey among employees in hospitals before and after the start of vaccinations in German hospitals

HintergrundDie Impfungen gegen das „severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2“ (SARS-CoV‑2) spielen eine entscheidende Rolle im globalen Kampf gegen die Coronapandemie. In der Bevölkerung aber auch bei Mitarbeitenden im Gesundheitswesen („health care workers“ [HCWs]) bestanden schon vor der Coronapandemie Bedenken und Skepsis gegenüber Impfungen.MethodeEine Onlineumfrage zur Einstellung der HCWs zur Impfung gegen SARS-CoV-2 wurde im Dezember (03.–12.12.2020) vor sowie im Februar (01.–10.02.2021) nach Start der Impfungen durchgeführt. Mitglieder*Innen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Internistische Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin (DGIIN) sowie der Deutschen Interdisziplinären Vereinigung für Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin (DIVI) wurden mit einer E‑Mail und auf Facebook eingeladen.ErgebnisseIm Dezember nahmen 2305, im Februar 3501 Personen teil. Die Zustimmung zur Impfung nahm von 85,2 % auf 92,1 % (p < 0,001) zu. Ebenfalls kam es zu einer Zunahme der Impfbereitschaft (63,8 % vs. 75,9 %; p < 0,001). Das weibliche Geschlecht, die Zugehörigkeit zur Berufsgruppe Pflegekräfte und ein Lebensalter < 45 Jahren waren signifikant mit einer eingeschränkten Impfbereitschaft assoziiert. Ebenfalls zeigte sich eine Abnahme der Bedenken bezüglich Wirksamkeit, Nebenwirkungen und Langzeitschäden. Eine deutliche Skepsis lag gegenüber dem Impfstoff der Firma AstraZeneca (Cambridge, Vereinigtes Königreich) vor.ZusammenfassungVor und nach Einführung von Impfungen gegen SARS-CoV‑2 kann eine Zunahme der Impfbereitschaft gegen SARS-CoV‑2 bei deutschen HCWs gezeigt werden. Fachexpert*Innen müssen Sachlichkeit in die aktuell kontrovers geführte Debatte durch präzise und transparente Information einbringen und damit einer Impfskepsis nicht nur bei HCWs entgegenwirken.

BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT AND MONITORING BY INTERNAL MEDICINE SPECIALISTS IN GERMANY IN VIEW OF THE SPRINT TRIAL

Objective: There are continuous discussions about the optimal target blood pressure values, not least due to the publication of the SPRINT study, where unattended ambulatory office blood pressure (AOBP) was used for blood pressure (BP) measurement. The aim of the following online survey was to examine how BP measurement and the management of hypertensive patients are handled in everyday practice by internal medicine specialists in Germany and to compare it with the current guidelines. Design and method: An online questionnaire with ten questions concerning methods of BP measurement was sent to 15,884 internal medicine specialists as an email via the mailing list of the German Society of Internal Medicine (DGIM). Of these, 731 took part in the survey, which corresponds to a response rate of 4 %. The statistical evaluation was carried out with MS Excel. Results: The standard auscultatory measurement with an aneroid manometer is the leading method used by 44 % and in 95 % of the cases, it is measured in the presence of medical staff, i.e., attended. With 53 %, more than half of the respondents only take one measurement. A group of 36 % take two or more measurements. Of these, the largest percentage with 28 % takes the last value, closely followed by 26 %, who use the average value. The first or lowest value is each used by 17 %, while a minority of 12 % use the highest value. A majority of two-thirds measures without any time reference to taking medication (66 %). Ambulatory and Home BP are used by the majority for therapy control, according to the survey (fig.) Conclusions: The guidelines are not implemented correctly in many places and the approach to managing hypertension patients varies considerably. Possible reasons for this might be a lack of time in everyday practice and not always specifically formulated specifications in the recommendations of the professional associations, which leads to ambiguities. Measurement using unattended AOBP is rarely used in Germany. To be able to transfer the results from SPRINT, this measurement method would first have to be established.

Prevalence of second victims, risk factors and support strategies among young German physicians in internal medicine (SeViD-I survey)

BackgroundSecond victims, defined as healthcare team members being traumatised by an unanticipated clinical event or outcome, are frequent in healthcare. Evidence of this phenomenon in Germany, however, is sparse. Recently, we reported the first construction and validation of a German questionnaire. This study aimed to understand this phenomenon better in a sample of young (<= 35 years) German physicians.MethodsThe electronic questionnaire (SeViD-I survey) was administered for 6 weeks to a sample of young physicians in training for internal medicine or a subspecialty. All physicians were members of the German Society of Internal Medicine. The questionnaire had three domains - general experience, symptoms, and support strategies - comprising 46 items. Binary logistic regression models were applied to study the influence of various independent factors on the risk of becoming a second victim, the magnitude of symptoms and the time to self-perceived recovery.ResultsThe response rate was 18% (555/3047). 65% of the participants were female, the mean age was 32 years. 59% experienced second victim incidents in their career so far and 35% during the past 12 months. Events with patient harm and unexpected patient deaths or suicides were the most frequent key incidents. 12% of the participants reported that their self-perceived time to full recovery was more than 1 year or have never recovered. Being female was a risk factor for being a second victim (odds ratio (OR) 2.5) and experiencing a high symptom load (OR 2). Working in acute care was promoting a shorter duration to self-perceived recovery (OR 0.5). Support measures with an exceptionally high approval among second victims were the possibility to discuss emotional and ethical issues, prompt debriefing/crisis intervention after the incident and a safe opportunity to contribute insights to prevent similar events in the future.ConclusionThe second victim phenomenon is frequent among young German physicians in internal medicine. In general, these traumatic events have a potentially high impact on physician health and the care they deliver. A better understanding of second victim traumatisations in Germany and broad implementation of effective support programs are warranted.

Consensus on basic conduct during the hospital admission of patients with acute heart failure

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a highly prevalent clinical entity in individuals older than 45 years in Spain. AHF is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and is the leading cause of hospitalisation for individuals older than 65 years in Spain, a quarter of whom die within 1 year of the hospitalisation. In recent years, there has been an upwards trend in hospitalisations for AHF, which increased 76.7% from 2003 to 2013. Readmissions at 30 days for AHF have also increased (from 17.6% to 22.1%), at a relative mean rate of 1.36% per year, with the consequent increase in the use of resources and the economic burden for the healthcare system. The aim of this document (developed by the Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation Group of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine) is to guide specialists on the most important aspects of treatment and follow-up for patients with AHF during hospitalisation and the subsequent follow-up. The main recommendations listed in this document are as follows: 1) At admission, perform a comprehensive assessment, considering the patient’s standard treatment and comorbidities, given that these determine the disease prognosis to a considerable measure. 2) During the first few hours of hospital care, decongestive treatment is a priority, and a staged diuretic therapeutic approach based on the patient’s response is recommended. 3) To manage patients in the stable phase, consider starting and/or adjusting evidence-based drug treatment (e.g., sacubitril/valsartan or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta blockers and aldosterone antagonists). 4) At hospital discharge, use a checklist to optimise the patient’s management and identify the most efficient options for maintaining continuity of care after discharge.

Prise en charge d’une suspicion d’artérite à cellules géantes : enquête auprès des médecins généralistes et spécialistes

IntroductionHeadache, visual disturbances and shoulder and hip girdle pain are frequent symptoms of consultation and the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) can be evoked in these situations. However, GCA is a rare disease, and the management modalities of a clinical suspicion of GCA are poorly described, which warranted this study. MethodsThis is a survey evaluating the management of a suspected case of GCA. The questionnaires were sent to general practitioners (GPs), members of the French Rheumatology Society (SFR) and the French National Society of Internal Medicine (SNFMI) ResultsOne thousand four hundred and fifty two physicians responded to the survey, including 967 GPs (66.6 %) and 485 other specialists (33.4 %). GPs immediately referred the patient to the emergency room in 42 % of cases, and to a specialist colleague in 72 % of cases in the presence of visual symptoms. GPs and other specialists reported performing temporal artery biopsy (TAB) respectively in 46.7 % and 69.7 % of cases (P<0.05). GPs and other specialists reported using diagnostic imaging in 7.4 % and 16.2 % of cases, respectively (P<0.05). Temporal artery ultrasound was the most used diagnostic imaging. The average prednisone equivalent dose prescribed as initial treatment was 1mg/kg/day for GPs and 0.7mg/kg/day for other specialists (P<0.05). ConclusionSome suspected GCA patients would be managed by their GPs. Imaging was little used for the diagnosis of GCA and TAB remained the preferred diagnostic examination. The initial prednisone equivalent dose varied between GP and other specialists.

La pratique de la télémédecine par les médecins internistes français en 2019

IntroductionTelemedicine has been developing in France since 2018. The objective of this survey was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices and training of internal physicians regarding telemedicine. Material and methodsA national descriptive observational study carried out between July and October 2019, via an online self-questionnaire with members of the National Society of Internal Medicine and the Association of Young Internists, included a descriptive and comparative analysis by subgroups of age. ResultsAnalysis of 309 responses from physicians qualified in internal medicine or practicing in an internal medicine service (61,8%) and residents in internal medicine (38%) showed that 34.6% had notions or a good knowledge of regulation of telemedicine. For 62,1%, 72.5% and 74.1% respectively, it could improve patient care, access to care and exchanges between internists and other doctors. The main obstacles to this practice were the absence of face-to-face with the patient (57.3%) and computer dysfunctions (55%). Only 23.3% practiced it, including 88.9% tele-expertise. Telemedicine was performed informally (telephone and email) in 70.8% of the cases. Doctors over the age of 50 were better acquainted with the regulations and more practiced official telemedicine. In total, 54% wanted to practice telemedicine and 72.8% wanted to train there. ConclusionAttitudes towards telemedicine were positive, but few internists knew about it and practiced it formally, warranting appropriate training.

Diploma on Ultrasound training and competency for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Consensus document of the Spanish Society of Anesthesia (SEDAR), Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) and Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES)

The use of ultrasound as a clinical diagnostic tool and guide of bedside procedures has become an indispensable examination in the acute critically ill patient. The training of professionals in minimum skills of knowledge, management and indications of use of ultrasound required to be defined by the Scientific Societies. The Intensive Care Ultrasound Working Group of the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (SEDAR), of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) and the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) has developed this consensus document in which the recommended training program and the minimum competencies to be achieved with regard to the use of Ultrasound in Intensive Care, Anesthesia and Emergency medicine are defined. This document defines the training program and the skills to acquire in order to achieve the diploma in lung, abdominal and vascular ultrasound . This document can serve as a guide to define the skills to be acquired in the training programs of residents (MIRs) of specialists working in intensive care, anesthesia, and emergency medicine. El uso de la ecografía como herramienta de diagnóstico clínico y guía de procedimientos a pie de cama se ha convertido en un examen indispensable en los cuidados del paciente agudo. La capacitación de los profesionales en unas competencias mínimas de conocimiento, manejo e indicaciones de uso requieren de una formación reglada definida por las Sociedades Científicas. El grupo de trabajo de Ecografía en Cuidados Intensivos de la Sociedad Española de Anestesiología y Reanimación (SEDAR), de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna (SEMI) y la Sociedad Española de Medicina de Urgencias y Emergencias (SEMES) ha desarrollado este documento de consenso en el que se define el programa de formación y las competencias mínimas recomendadas a adquirir con relación al uso de la Ecografía en Cuidados Intensivos, Anestesia, Urgencias y Emergencias. En este documento se definen el programa de formación y las competencias a adquirir para alcanzar el diploma acreditativo en ecografía toraco-pulmonar, ecografía abdominal y ecografía vascular. Este documento puede servir de guía para definir las competencias a adquirir en los programas de formación de médicos internos residentes (MIR) de los especialistas que trabajen en cuidados intensivos, anestesia, urgencias y emergencias.

Consenso sobre el manejo de la hiperpotasemia en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca: recomendaciones de la SEC-SEMI

Use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction is associated with functional improvement, an increase in perceived quality of life, a reduction in the probability of cardiovascular death, and a decrease in the number of hospitalizations. Some of these drugs are also efficacious in patients with chronic kidney disease and albuminuria as well as in patients with resistant hypertension. Despite their numerous benefits, RAASi are associated with an increase in incidence of hyperkalemia, especially in patients with concomitant chronic kidney disease. Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disorder that is defined as an elevation in plasma concentrations of potassium above 5 mEq/L. It has been related to rehospitalizations, malignant arrhythmias, and an increase in mortality. On the other hand, optimized treatment with RAASi requires progressive dose increases which can in turn entail a greater probability of hyperkalemia. For all of these reasons, it is necessary to establish management and treatment guidelines for these patients. This consensus document arises from this objective. Its recommendations have been developed by a group of ten experts and reviewed by a panel of another ten specialists in the treatment of patients with HF (ten cardiologists and ten internists in total). This document has been endorsed by the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC, for its initials in Spanish) and the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI, for its initials in Spanish).

Clinical risk scores for the early prediction of severe outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with severe acute respiratory failure. Early identification of high-risk COVID-19 patients is crucial. We aimed to derive and validate a simple score for the prediction of severe outcomes. A retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 was carried out by the Italian Society of Internal Medicine. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and treatment variables were collected at hospital admission at five hospitals. Three algorithm selection models were used to construct a predictive risk score: backward Selection, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), and Random Forest. Severe outcome was defined as the composite of need for non-invasive ventilation, need for orotracheal intubation, or death. A total of 610 patients were included in the analysis, 313 had a severe outcome. The subset for the derivation analysis included 335 patients, the subset for the validation analysis 275 patients. The LASSO selection identified 6 variables (age, history of coronary heart disease, CRP, AST, D-dimer, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) and resulted in the best performing score with an area under the curve of 0.79 in the derivation cohort and 0.80 in the validation cohort. Using a cut-off of 7 out of 13 points, sensitivity was 0.93, specificity 0.34, positive predictive value 0.59, and negative predictive value 0.82. The proposed score can identify patients at low risk for severe outcome who can be safely managed in a low-intensity setting after hospital admission for COVID-19.