The main characteristics of mechanically ventilated ARDS patients affected with COVID-19, and the adherence to lung-protective ventilation strategies are not well known. We describe characteristics and outcomes of confirmed ARDS in COVID-19 patients managed with invasive mechanical ventilation (MV). Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective, observational study in consecutive, mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS (as defined by the Berlin criteria) affected with with COVID-19 (confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in nasal or pharyngeal swab specimens), admitted to a network of 36 Spanish and Andorran intensive care units (ICUs) between March 12 and June 1, 2020. We examined the clinical features, ventilatory management, and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 ARDS patients, and compared some results with other relevant studies in non-COVID-19 ARDS patients. Results: A total of 742 patients were analysed with complete 28-day outcome data: 128 (17.1%) with mild, 331 (44.6%) with moderate, and 283 (38.1%) with severe ARDS. At baseline, defined as the first day on invasive MV, median (IQR) values were: tidal volume 6.9 (6.3-7.8) ml/kg predicted body weight, positive end-expiratory pressure 12 (11-14) cmH 2 O. Values of respiratory system compliance 35 (27-45) ml/cmH 2 O, plateau pressure 25 (22-29) cmH 2 O, and driving pressure 12 (10-16) cmH 2 O were similar to values from non-COVID-19 ARDS patients observed in other studies. Recruitment maneuvers, prone position and neuromuscular blocking agents were used in 79%, 76% and 72% of patients, respectively. The risk of 28-day mortality was lower in mild ARDS [hazard ratio (RR) 0.56 (95% CI 0.33-0.93), p = 0.026] and moderate ARDS [hazard ratio (RR) 0.69 (95% CI 0.47-0.97), p = 0.035] when compared to severe ARDS. The 28-day mortality was similar to other observational studies in non-COVID-19 ARDS patients. Conclusions: In this large series, COVID-19 ARDS patients have features similar to other causes of ARDS, compliance with lung-protective ventilation was high, and the risk of 28-day mortality increased with the degree of ARDS severity.

Background Awake prone positioning (awake-PP) in non-intubated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients could avoid endotracheal intubation, reduce the use of critical care resources, and improve survival. We aimed to examine whether the combination of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNO) with awake-PP prevents the need for intubation when compared to HFNO alone. Methods Prospective, multicenter, adjusted observational cohort study in consecutive COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) receiving respiratory support with HFNO from 12 March to 9 June 2020. Patients were classified as HFNO with or without awake-PP. Logistic models were fitted to predict treatment at baseline using the following variables: age, sex, obesity, non-respiratory Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, APACHE-II, C-reactive protein, days from symptoms onset to HFNO initiation, respiratory rate, and peripheral oxyhemoglobin saturation. We compared data on demographics, vital signs, laboratory markers, need for invasive mechanical ventilation, days to intubation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality between HFNO patients with and without awake-PP. Results A total of 1076 patients with COVID-19 ARF were admitted, of which 199 patients received HFNO and were analyzed. Fifty-five (27.6%) were pronated during HFNO; 60 (41%) and 22 (40%) patients from the HFNO and HFNO + awake-PP groups were intubated. The use of awake-PP as an adjunctive therapy to HFNO did not reduce the risk of intubation [RR 0.87 (95% CI 0.53–1.43), p = 0.60]. Patients treated with HFNO + awake-PP showed a trend for delay in intubation compared to HFNO alone [median 1 (interquartile range, IQR 1.0–2.5) vs 2 IQR 1.0–3.0] days (p = 0.055), but awake-PP did not affect 28-day mortality [RR 1.04 (95% CI 0.40–2.72), p = 0.92]. Conclusion In patients with COVID-19 ARF treated with HFNO, the use of awake-PP did not reduce the need for intubation or affect mortality.

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the Stanniocalcin-2/PAPP-A/IGFBP-4 axis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).MethodsObservational cohort study performed in 1085 consecutive STEMI patients treated with early reperfusion between February 2011 and August 2014. Stanniocalcin-2, PAPP-A, and IGFBP-4 were measured using state-of-the art immunoassays. The primary outcome was the composite endpoint of all-cause mortality and readmission due to heart failure (HF).ResultsMedian follow-up was 3.3 years (IQR 1.0–3.7), during which 176 patients (16.2%) presented a composite endpoint. Multivariable cox regression analysis revealed that Stanniocalcin-2 (HR 2.06; 95% CI 1.13–3.75; p = 0.018), IGFBP-4 (HR 1.73; 95% CI 1.14–2.64; p = 0.010), Killip–Kimball class III–IV (HR 1.40; 95% CI 1.13–1.74; p = 0.002), NT-ProBNP (HR 1.21; 95% CI 1.07–1.37; p = 0.002), age (HR 1.06; 95% CI 1.04–1.08; p < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.95–0.98; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of the composite endpoint. A model containing Stanniocalcin-2 and IGFBP-4 on top of clinical variables significantly improved C-index discrimination (p = 0.036). Stanniocalcin-2 was also identified as independent predictor of all-cause mortality (HR 2.23; 95% CI 1.16–4.29; p = 0.017) and readmission due to HF (HR 3.42; 95% CI 1.22–9.60; p = 0.020).ConclusionsIn STEMI patients, Stanniocalcin-2 and IGFBP-4 emerged as independent predictors of all-cause death and readmission due to HF. The Stanniocalcin-2/PAPP-A/IGFBP-4 axis exhibits a significant role in STEMI risk stratification.