Summary Background Since December, 2019, Wuhan, China, has experienced an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 have been reported but risk factors for mortality and a detailed clinical course of illness, including viral shedding, have not been well described. Methods In this retrospective, multicentre cohort study, we included all adult inpatients (≥18 years old) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from Jinyintan Hospital and Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital (Wuhan, China) who had been discharged or had died by Jan 31, 2020. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and laboratory data, including serial samples for viral RNA detection, were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between survivors and non-survivors. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression methods to explore the risk factors associated with in-hospital death. Findings 191 patients (135 from Jinyintan Hospital and 56 from Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital) were included in this study, of whom 137 were discharged and 54 died in hospital. 91 (48%) patients had a comorbidity, with hypertension being the most common (58 [30%] patients), followed by diabetes (36 [19%] patients) and coronary heart disease (15 [8%] patients). Multivariable regression showed increasing odds of in-hospital death associated with older age (odds ratio 1·10, 95% CI 1·03–1·17, per year increase; p=0·0043), higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (5·65, 2·61–12·23; p Interpretation The potential risk factors of older age, high SOFA score, and d-dimer greater than 1 μg/mL could help clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis at an early stage. Prolonged viral shedding provides the rationale for a strategy of isolation of infected patients and optimal antiviral interventions in the future. Funding Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences; National Science Grant for Distinguished Young Scholars; National Key Research and Development Program of China; The Beijing Science and Technology Project; and Major Projects of National Science and Technology on New Drug Creation and Development.

Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is the most common reason for hospitalization in Western nations. The prognosis of patients admitted to hospital with ADHF is poor, with up to 64% being readmitted within the first 90 days after discharge and with a 1-year mortality approximating 20%. Epidemiological studies suggest that the majority of patients hospitalized with ADHF receive treatment that is inadequate and which is not based on scientific evidence. Furthermore, emerging data suggest that the "conventional" therapeutic interventions for ADHF including morphine, high-dose diuretics, and inotropic agents may be harmful. The goal of this review is to provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of ADHF.

Narrative review: the management of acute decompensated heart failure.

Early goal-directed therapy in the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock

Does Central Venous Pressure Predict Fluid Responsiveness?: A Systematic Review of the Literature and the Tale of Seven Mares

Objective:To determine whether central venous pressure and fluid balance after resuscitation for septic shock are associated with mortality.Design:We conducted a retrospective review of the use of intravenous fluids during the first 4 days of care.Setting:Multicenter randomized controlled trial.Pati

Fluid resuscitation in septic shock: a positive fluid balance and elevated central venous pressure are associated with increased mortality.

https://www.criticalcare.theclinics.com/article/S0749-0704(07)00031-0/pdf

Noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring in the intensive care unit.

The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) may be helpful in determining the etiology of shock, lactic acidosis, pulmonary edema, oliguric renal failure, pulmonary hypertension, and a number of cardiac abnormalities. In addition, it may also be useful in guiding fluid and vasoactive therapy. However, although hemodynamic data from the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is widely used diagnostically and therapeutically in the care of critically ill patients, the use of the catheter has not been shown to provide outcomes benefit. In fact, there is some evidence to suggest that placement of the PAC may actually be detrimental. The reasons for this are unclear, but it has been shown that both physicians and nurses frequently misinterpret waveforms and other data obtained from the PAC. Presently, there are a number of ongoing randomized, controlled trials investigating the use of the PAC in specific clinical situations and/or patient populations as well as using specific treatment strategies. In the meantime, if any benefit is to be achieved, it is imperative that clinicians have a thorough understanding of the indications, contraindications, complications, and pitfalls of data interpretation prior to using the catheter. These are reviewed in this article.

Principles of pulmonary artery catheterization in the critically ill.

We report a complication of the novel H1N1 influenza A viral infection not yet described during this 2007-2009 pandemic. Pulmonary hemorrhage is a known complication of influenza pneumonia, including well documented reports from previous pandemics. A 57-year-old African American female presented with fevers, progressive shortness of breath, and cough. After being admitted with an initial diagnosis of myocardial infarction, hemoptysis developed. Nasopharyngeal swabs rapid testing was negative for influenza A and B antigen, but a polymerase chain reaction test for influenza A type H1N1 was positive. A fiberoptic bronchoscopy for ongoing hemoptysis demonstrated diffuse erythema and bleeding, and bronchoalveolar lavage was consistent with alveolar hemorrhage. Progressive hypoxemic respiratory failure ensued, eventually leading to her demise. Our case highlights one of the more feared complications that may have been more common in prior outbreaks, such as the 1918 "Spanish Flu." Autopsy studies from the 1918 influenza pandemic found severe tracheobronchitis (oftentimes hemorrhagic), septal edema, necrotizing bronchiolitis, alveolitis, and extensive hemorrhage, as opposed to the more benign laryngitis and tracheobronchitis that is commonplace in other influenza infections. Similar pathology appearances, including pulmonary hemorrhage, have also been described in H5N1 outbreaks in China and Thailand. It is crucial for pandemic preparedness planning that additional careful and complete autopsy study of this present pandemic influenza infection be performed and reported to answer questions regarding the natural history, pathology, and pathogenesis of this novel H1N1 influenza.

http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/respcare/55/5/623.full.pdf

Novel H1N1 influenza A viral infection complicated by alveolar hemorrhage.

Hemophagocytic syndrome, also known as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), is a rare and frequently fatal disorder caused by an uncontrollable and ineffective systemic immune response. Patients initially present with fever, cytopenia, and hepatosplenomegaly, and subsequently develop multiorgan failure (MOF). Hemophagocytosis can be found on biopsy specimen but is not required. Acquired forms of HLH can occur in apparently healthy adults, while children present more often with an inherited form of the disease. Since HLH often presents with sepsis-like symptoms and organ dysfunction, patients are usually treated for presumed sepsis, which inevitably leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Intensivists need to have a low threshold for suspecting this disorder when previously healthy individuals present with a fulminant sepsis-like syndrome, which are unresponsive to conventional treatment. We present 3 patients with HLH who were admitted to our adult medical intensive care unit (MICU) over a 2-year period with fatal outcomes and emphasize the diagnostic importance of markedly elevated serum ferritin levels and the need for tissue biopsy in making an accurate diagnosis in a timely manner.

Michael Baram

Papers

Does Central Venous Pressure Predict Fluid Responsiveness?: A Systematic Review of the Literature and the Tale of Seven Mares

Noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring in the intensive care unit.

Principles of pulmonary artery catheterization in the critically ill.

Novel H1N1 influenza A viral infection complicated by alveolar hemorrhage.

What intensivists need to know about hemophagocytic syndrome: an underrecognized cause of death in adult intensive care units.