1.Comparative Analysis of the Extracellular Matrix Composition in Proliferating and Involuted Infantile Hemangiomas.
Hyochun PARK ; Hannara PARK ; Ho Yun CHUNG ; Teresa M O ; Milton WANER
Archives of Plastic Surgery 2015;42(5):544-551
BACKGROUND: Changes in the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) occur between the proliferating and involuted phases of infantile hemangiomas (IH), and are associated with angiogenic growth. We examined the composition of the ECM in proliferating and involuted IHs and assessed correlations between the composition of the ECM and whether the IH was in the proliferating or the involuted phase. METHODS: We evaluated IH samples from a cohort of patients who had five proliferating IHs and five involuted IHs. The following ECM molecules were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunohistochemistry: laminin, fibronectin, collagen type I, collagen type II, and collagen type III. RESULTS: The involuted IHs had higher levels of deposition of collagen type III than the proliferating IHs. The median values (interquartile ranges) were 1.135 (0.946-1.486) and 1.008 (0.780-1.166) (P=0.019), respectively. The level of laminin was higher in involuted IHs than in proliferating IHs, with median values (interquartile ranges) of 3.191 (2.945-3.191) and 2.479 (1.699-3.284) (P=0.047), respectively. Abundant collagen type III staining was found in involuted IHs. Laminin alpha4 chain staining was clearly present within the basement membrane adjacent to the blood vessels, and was significantly more intense in involuted IHs than in proliferative IHs. CONCLUSIONS: Involuted hemangiomas showed extensive deposition of collagen III and laminin, suggesting that differences in the composition of the ECM reflect stages of the development of IHs. This pattern may be due to the rapid senescence of IHs.
Aging
;
Basement Membrane
;
Blood Vessels
;
Cohort Studies
;
Collagen
;
Collagen Type I
;
Collagen Type II
;
Collagen Type III
;
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
;
Extracellular Matrix*
;
Fibronectins
;
Hemangioma*
;
Humans
;
Immunohistochemistry
;
Laminin
2.The association between D-dimer levels and thromboembolism, worsening severity, and mortality among hospitalized adults with COVID-19
Patricia Pauline M. Remalante-Rayco ; Evelyn O. Salido ; Joey A. Tabula ; Maria Teresa S. Tolosa
Acta Medica Philippina 2020;54(Rapid Reviews on COVID19):1-15
Objective:
To assess the association between D-dimer and clinical outcomes in adults with COVID-19.
Methods:
We reviewed published articles and preprints from MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Cornell Open Access Publication (COAP), MedRxiv, and BioRxiv databases. We included cohort studies on the association between D-dimer and the outcomes of thromboembolism, mortality, and worsening severity among hospitalized adults with COVID-19.
Results:
We found 25 observational studies on the association between D-dimer and the outcomes of thromboembolism, mortality, or worsening severity. There was an increased risk of thromboembolism (OR 5.61 [95% CI 3.97, 7.94]) with higher D-dimer levels across different COVID-19 severities. D-dimer levels are associated with higher in-hospital mortality (OR 5.57 [95% CI 2.74, 11.31]) and worsening severity manifesting as critical illness (OR 1.91 [95% CI 1.05, 3.48] to 2.58 [95% CI 1.57, 4.24]), disease progression (HR 2.846 [95% CI 2.10, 3.85]), or need for mechanical ventilation (HR 3.28 [95% CI 1.07, 10.10]). However, some methodological flaws, such as incomplete laboratory or follow-up data and concern on varied D-dimer cut-offs and definitions of worsening disease, raise some uncertainty in the widespread use of D-dimer as a prognostic marker.
Conclusion
A higher D-dimer value is associated with worse clinical outcomes among hospitalized adults with COVID-19 and may be a useful prognostic indicator.
COVID-19
3.Clinical pathway for the management of uninvestigated Dyspepsia among adults in family and community practice: Updated 2021
Nenacia Ranali Nirena P. Mendoza ; Noel M. Espallardo ; Anna Guia O. Limpoco ; Jane Efflyn Lardizabal-Bunyi ; Abigael C. Andal-Saniano ; Ma. Elinore Alba-Concha ; Ma. Teresa Tricia G. Bautista ; Rhodora F. Pesebre
The Filipino Family Physician 2021;59(2):182-197
Background:
Uninvestigated dyspepsia is a common complaint in family practice in the Philippines. Patients usually seek consult due to severity of symptoms which affect their quality of life. The goals of management are short- and long-term symptom control, with reversal of possible underlying mechanisms, achievable through a combination of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
Objective:
The main objective of this pathway is to guide family physicians and primary care physicians in the assessment, diagnosis and management of adult patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia through a shared decision-making process.
Method:
This clinical pathway is an update of the PAFP’s Clinical Pathways for the Management of Dyspepsia in Adults (2016). The current panel utilized the ADAPTE method and prioritized reviewing relevant clinical practice guidelines from 2017 to present. Grading of recommendation was achieved through a mixture of strength of available evidence and a consensus from a panel of experts.
Summary of Recommendations:
The main changes in the recommendations in this update are as follows: symptom-based classification of dyspepsia, screening for anxiety and depression, family and SCREEM assessment; initiation of therapeutic trial for most patients to whom H. pylori testing is not available; extension of initial PPI treatment to 4-8 weeks, consideration of antacids/alginates for immediate symptom relief, consideration of tricyclic antidepressants for non-responders to initial treatment; symptom-based non-pharmacologic advice, consideration of counseling and other psychosocial interventions; empowerment for self-treatment and as-needed therapy for those who have completed the initial treatment regimen
Dissemination and Implementation
This guideline shall be disseminated and implemented at the clinic and organizational level. It will be published in the “The Filipino Family Physician” journal, social media platforms and will be disseminated through PAFP local chapters, training institutions and during the national convention. Non-FCM primary care physicians will also be reached through relevant agencies. It shall be included in the references required during training activities and national exams of accredited training institutions, in coordination with the PAFP committee on Residency Training. It shall be incorporated in checklists for compliance in audits and QA cycles, with support from the PAFP committee on Quality Assurance and that on Standards for Family Practice. Feedback on utility and applicability will be actively sought from the intended users and other stakeholders.
Dyspepsia
;
Community Health Services
;
Critical Pathways
4.Motivating and hindering factors affecting muslim mothers' Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices in select municipalities of Maguindanao, BARMM, Philippines
Paul Alteo A. Bagabaldo ; Maria Theresa M. Talavera ; Divine Grace C. Domingo ; Angelina R. Bustos ; Leila S. Africa ; Angelina DR. Felix ; Anna Teresa O. Orillo ; Nancy A. Tandang ; Warren TK Lee ; Maria Cecilia F. Pastores
Acta Medica Philippina 2024;58(Early Access 2024):1-11
Objectives:
This study aimed to determine the motivating and hindering factors affecting the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices of Muslim mothers in select municipalities of Maguindanao.
Methods:
A pretested questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews conducted among 320 randomly selected Muslim mothers with a child aged 6-23 months.
Results :
Results revealed that prelacteal feeding was practiced by 16.6% of the Muslim mothers, giving mostly plain water. Solid/semi-solid foods were introduced at a mean age of 6.1 ± 1.4 months, with home-cooked lugao (porridge) (55.0%) and commercial baby food (31.3%) as the top foods introduced. The majority of Muslim mothers (82.5%) fed processed foods as complementary food to their children, including instant noodles (85.2%) and canned goods (51.5%).
Conclusion
The results revealed suboptimal practices in prelacteal feeding and the reliance on processed foods among Muslim mothers, with economic factors, availability, and convenience as motivating factors in complementary feeding practices. Challenges such as household duties, low milk output, and financial constraints hinder breastfeeding and nutritious food provision for infants and young children. The study reinforced the necessity for holistic strategies in IYCF promotion among Muslim mothers.
breast feeding, Islam, malnutrition
5.Adherence of physicians to local guideline recommendations among patients with COVID-19 in two tertiary public hospitals in Metro Manila, Philippines: A rapid assessment study
Anton G. Elepañ ; o ; Cynthia P. Cordero ; Lia M. Palileo-Villanueva ; Nina T. Castillo-Carandang ; Maria Teresa B. Abola ; Jan Bendric C. Borbe ; Vincent Anthony S. Tang ; Jerahmeel Aleson L. Mapili ; Bryan F. Elvambuena ; Rogelio N. Velasco Jr. ; Leahdette O. Padua ; Carl Lawrence C. Arenos ; Leonila F. Dans ; Antonio Miguel L. Dans
Acta Medica Philippina 2020;54(Online):1-7
Objectives:
Adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPG) has been shown to reduce inter-physician practice
variation and improve quality of care. This study evaluated guideline adherence of physicians in two tertiary public hospitals to local CPG on COVID-19.
Methods:
This was a multicenter, retrospective chart review, rapid assessment method study. Guideline adherence and non-adherence (overuse and underuse) to 15 strong recommendations in the prevailing Philippine COVID-19 Living Recommendations were assessed among a sample of patients admitted in two centers from July to October 2021. Differences in adherence across COVID-19 disease severities and managing hospital units were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 723 patient charts from two centers were reviewed. Guideline adherence to dexamethasone use among patients with hypoxemia is 91.4% (95% CI 88.6 to 93.6) with 9.2% overuse. Tocilizumab was underused in 52.2% of patients with indications to receive the drug. There was overuse of empiric antibiotics in 43.6% of patients without suspicion of bacterial coinfection. Lowest adherence to antibiotic use was seen among patients with critical disease severity and those managed in the intensive care unit. None of the other non-recommended treatment modalities were given.
Conclusion
Management of COVID-19 in both centers was generally adherent to guideline recommendations. We detected high underuse of tocilizumab probably related to the global supply shortage during the study period and high overuse of antibiotics in patients without suspicion of bacterial coinfection. While the results of this study cannot be generalized in other healthcare settings, we recommend the application of similar rapid assessment studies in guideline adherence evaluation as a quality improvement tool and to identify issues with resource utilization especially during public health emergencies
Guideline Adherence
;
COVID-19
;
Quality Improvement
6.Adherence of physicians to local guideline recommendations among patients with COVID-19 in two Tertiary Public Hospitals in Metro Manila, Philippines: A rapid assessment study
Anton G. Elepañ ; o ; Cynthia P. Cordero ; Lia M. Palileo-Villanueva ; Nina T. Castillo-Carandang ; Maria Teresa B. Abola ; Jan Bendric C. Borbe ; Vincent Anthony S. Tang ; Jerahmeel Aleson L. Mapili ; Bryan F. Elvambuena ; Rogelio N. Velasco Jr ; Leahdette O. Padua ; Carl Lawrence C. Arenos ; Leonila F. Dans ; Antonio Miguel L. Dans
Acta Medica Philippina 2023;57(11):34-40
Objectives:
Adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPG) has been shown to reduce inter-physician practice
variation and improve quality of care. This study evaluated guideline adherence of physicians in two tertiary public hospitals to local CPG on COVID-19.
Methods:
This was a multicenter, retrospective chart review, rapid assessment method study. Guideline adherence and non-adherence (overuse and underuse) to 15 strong recommendations in the prevailing Philippine COVID-19 Living Recommendations were assessed among a sample of patients admitted in two centers from July to October 2021. Differences in adherence across COVID-19 disease severities and managing hospital units were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 723 patient charts from two centers were reviewed. Guideline adherence to dexamethasone use among patients with hypoxemia is 91.4% (95% CI 88.6 to 93.6) with 9.2% overuse. Tocilizumab was underused in 52.2% of patients with indications to receive the drug. There was overuse of empiric antibiotics in 43.6% of patients without suspicion of bacterial coinfection. Lowest adherence to antibiotic use was seen among patients with critical disease severity and those managed in the intensive care unit. None of the other non-recommended treatment modalities were given.
Conclusion
Management of COVID-19 in both centers was generally adherent to guideline recommendations.
We detected high underuse of tocilizumab probably related to the global supply shortage during the study
period and high overuse of antibiotics in patients without suspicion of bacterial coinfection. While the results of this study cannot be generalized in other healthcare settings, we recommend the application of similar rapid assessment studies in guideline adherence evaluation as a quality improvement tool and to identify issues with resource utilization especially during public health emergencies.
Guideline Adherence
;
COVID-19
;
Quality Improvement
7.Pilot implementation of a computer-based training course on newborn hearing screening and teleaudiology among primary healthcare providers in low resource settings
Talitha Karisse L. Yarza ; Abegail Jayne P. Amoranto ; Monica B. Sunga ; Abby Dariel F. Santos ; Mark Lenon O. Tulisana ; Teresa Luisa G. Cruz ; Philip B. Fullante ; James P. Marcin ; Luis G. Sison ; Charlotte M. Chiong ; Portia Grace F. Marcelo
Acta Medica Philippina 2023;57(9):103-115
Objective:
Newborn hearing screening (NHS) in the Philippines has been mandated by law since 2009. However, lack of awareness and knowledge about NHS remains a challenge, especially among healthcare providers. This paper describes the pilot implementation of a computer-based training (CBT) course on NHS and teleaudiology among primary healthcare providers (PHCPs) in rural Philippines.
Methods:
A four-module web-based training course on newborn hearing screening and teleaudiology in an online learning management system (LMS) was field-tested among PHCPs from eight rural communities in the Philippines. Participants were given four weeks to complete the course.
Results:
Forty-two PHCPs participated in the CBT. Thirty-four (81%) completed the whole course (mean attrition rate of 4.8% per module) at a mean duration of 10.2 days. Baseline data shows that participants had no NHS training, although the majority (83%) had information and communications technology (ICT) training. Comparison of preand post-test mean scores showed a 24.0% (p<0.001) significant increase in the post-test in all four modules. Passing rates (i.e., score ≥70%) from pre- to post-test increased by 54.6% (range: 38-80% increase). Usability of the CBT was rated high with a mean score of 4.32 out of 5 (range: 4.13 to 4.47), covering all eight parameters. Participants expressed general satisfaction and a
positive attitude on CBT to improve knowledge on NHS and teleaudiology.
Conclusion
Even in low resource settings where gaps in ICT infrastructure exist, eLearning can be used as an alternative approach to increase awareness and support training of healthcare providers on newborn hearing screening.
Infant, Newborn
;
Telemedicine
8.Global Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cerebral Venous Thrombosis and Mortality
Thanh N. NGUYEN ; Muhammad M. QURESHI ; Piers KLEIN ; Hiroshi YAMAGAMI ; Mohamad ABDALKADER ; Robert MIKULIK ; Anvitha SATHYA ; Ossama Yassin MANSOUR ; Anna CZLONKOWSKA ; Hannah LO ; Thalia S. FIELD ; Andreas CHARIDIMOU ; Soma BANERJEE ; Shadi YAGHI ; James E. SIEGLER ; Petra SEDOVA ; Joseph KWAN ; Diana Aguiar DE SOUSA ; Jelle DEMEESTERE ; Violiza INOA ; Setareh Salehi OMRAN ; Liqun ZHANG ; Patrik MICHEL ; Davide STRAMBO ; João Pedro MARTO ; Raul G. NOGUEIRA ; ; Espen Saxhaug KRISTOFFERSEN ; Georgios TSIVGOULIS ; Virginia Pujol LEREIS ; Alice MA ; Christian ENZINGER ; Thomas GATTRINGER ; Aminur RAHMAN ; Thomas BONNET ; Noémie LIGOT ; Sylvie DE RAEDT ; Robin LEMMENS ; Peter VANACKER ; Fenne VANDERVORST ; Adriana Bastos CONFORTO ; Raquel C.T. HIDALGO ; Daissy Liliana MORA CUERVO ; Luciana DE OLIVEIRA NEVES ; Isabelle LAMEIRINHAS DA SILVA ; Rodrigo Targa MARTÍNS ; Letícia C. REBELLO ; Igor Bessa SANTIAGO ; Teodora SADELAROVA ; Rosen KALPACHKI ; Filip ALEXIEV ; Elena Adela CORA ; Michael E. KELLY ; Lissa PEELING ; Aleksandra PIKULA ; Hui-Sheng CHEN ; Yimin CHEN ; Shuiquan YANG ; Marina ROJE BEDEKOVIC ; Martin ČABAL ; Dusan TENORA ; Petr FIBRICH ; Pavel DUŠEK ; Helena HLAVÁČOVÁ ; Emanuela HRABANOVSKA ; Lubomír JURÁK ; Jana KADLČÍKOVÁ ; Igor KARPOWICZ ; Lukáš KLEČKA ; Martin KOVÁŘ ; Jiří NEUMANN ; Hana PALOUŠKOVÁ ; Martin REISER ; Vladimir ROHAN ; Libor ŠIMŮNEK ; Ondreij SKODA ; Miroslav ŠKORŇA ; Martin ŠRÁMEK ; Nicolas DRENCK ; Khalid SOBH ; Emilie LESAINE ; Candice SABBEN ; Peggy REINER ; Francois ROUANET ; Daniel STRBIAN ; Stefan BOSKAMP ; Joshua MBROH ; Simon NAGEL ; Michael ROSENKRANZ ; Sven POLI ; Götz THOMALLA ; Theodoros KARAPANAYIOTIDES ; Ioanna KOUTROULOU ; Odysseas KARGIOTIS ; Lina PALAIODIMOU ; José Dominguo BARRIENTOS GUERRA ; Vikram HUDED ; Shashank NAGENDRA ; Chintan PRAJAPATI ; P.N. SYLAJA ; Achmad Firdaus SANI ; Abdoreza GHOREISHI ; Mehdi FARHOUDI ; Elyar SADEGHI HOKMABADI ; Mazyar HASHEMILAR ; Sergiu Ionut SABETAY ; Fadi RAHAL ; Maurizio ACAMPA ; Alessandro ADAMI ; Marco LONGONI ; Raffaele ORNELLO ; Leonardo RENIERI ; Michele ROMOLI ; Simona SACCO ; Andrea SALMAGGI ; Davide SANGALLI ; Andrea ZINI ; Kenichiro SAKAI ; Hiroki FUKUDA ; Kyohei FUJITA ; Hirotoshi IMAMURA ; Miyake KOSUKE ; Manabu SAKAGUCHI ; Kazutaka SONODA ; Yuji MATSUMARU ; Nobuyuki OHARA ; Seigo SHINDO ; Yohei TAKENOBU ; Takeshi YOSHIMOTO ; Kazunori TOYODA ; Takeshi UWATOKO ; Nobuyuki SAKAI ; Nobuaki YAMAMOTO ; Ryoo YAMAMOTO ; Yukako YAZAWA ; Yuri SUGIURA ; Jang-Hyun BAEK ; Si Baek LEE ; Kwon-Duk SEO ; Sung-Il SOHN ; Jin Soo LEE ; Anita Ante ARSOVSKA ; Chan Yong CHIEH ; Wan Asyraf WAN ZAIDI ; Wan Nur Nafisah WAN YAHYA ; Fernando GONGORA-RIVERA ; Manuel MARTINEZ-MARINO ; Adrian INFANTE-VALENZUELA ; Diederik DIPPEL ; Dianne H.K. VAN DAM-NOLEN ; Teddy Y. WU ; Martin PUNTER ; Tajudeen Temitayo ADEBAYO ; Abiodun H. BELLO ; Taofiki Ajao SUNMONU ; Kolawole Wasiu WAHAB ; Antje SUNDSETH ; Amal M. AL HASHMI ; Saima AHMAD ; Umair RASHID ; Liliana RODRIGUEZ-KADOTA ; Miguel Ángel VENCES ; Patrick Matic YALUNG ; Jon Stewart Hao DY ; Waldemar BROLA ; Aleksander DĘBIEC ; Malgorzata DOROBEK ; Michal Adam KARLINSKI ; Beata M. LABUZ-ROSZAK ; Anetta LASEK-BAL ; Halina SIENKIEWICZ-JAROSZ ; Jacek STASZEWSKI ; Piotr SOBOLEWSKI ; Marcin WIĄCEK ; Justyna ZIELINSKA-TUREK ; André Pinho ARAÚJO ; Mariana ROCHA ; Pedro CASTRO ; Patricia FERREIRA ; Ana Paiva NUNES ; Luísa FONSECA ; Teresa PINHO E MELO ; Miguel RODRIGUES ; M Luis SILVA ; Bogdan CIOPLEIAS ; Adela DIMITRIADE ; Cristian FALUP-PECURARIU ; May Adel HAMID ; Narayanaswamy VENKETASUBRAMANIAN ; Georgi KRASTEV ; Jozef HARING ; Oscar AYO-MARTIN ; Francisco HERNANDEZ-FERNANDEZ ; Jordi BLASCO ; Alejandro RODRÍGUEZ-VÁZQUEZ ; Antonio CRUZ-CULEBRAS ; Francisco MONICHE ; Joan MONTANER ; Soledad PEREZ-SANCHEZ ; María Jesús GARCÍA SÁNCHEZ ; Marta GUILLÁN RODRÍGUEZ ; Gianmarco BERNAVA ; Manuel BOLOGNESE ; Emmanuel CARRERA ; Anchalee CHUROJANA ; Ozlem AYKAC ; Atilla Özcan ÖZDEMIR ; Arsida BAJRAMI ; Songul SENADIM ; Syed I. HUSSAIN ; Seby JOHN ; Kailash KRISHNAN ; Robert LENTHALL ; Kaiz S. ASIF ; Kristine BELOW ; Jose BILLER ; Michael CHEN ; Alex CHEBL ; Marco COLASURDO ; Alexandra CZAP ; Adam H. DE HAVENON ; Sushrut DHARMADHIKARI ; Clifford J. ESKEY ; Mudassir FAROOQUI ; Steven K. FESKE ; Nitin GOYAL ; Kasey B. GRIMMETT ; Amy K. GUZIK ; Diogo C. HAUSSEN ; Majesta HOVINGH ; Dinesh JILLELA ; Peter T. KAN ; Rakesh KHATRI ; Naim N. KHOURY ; Nicole L. KILEY ; Murali K. KOLIKONDA ; Stephanie LARA ; Grace LI ; Italo LINFANTE ; Aaron I. LOOCHTAN ; Carlos D. LOPEZ ; Sarah LYCAN ; Shailesh S. MALE ; Fadi NAHAB ; Laith MAALI ; Hesham E. MASOUD ; Jiangyong MIN ; Santiago ORGETA-GUTIERREZ ; Ghada A. MOHAMED ; Mahmoud MOHAMMADEN ; Krishna NALLEBALLE ; Yazan RADAIDEH ; Pankajavalli RAMAKRISHNAN ; Bliss RAYO-TARANTO ; Diana M. ROJAS-SOTO ; Sean RULAND ; Alexis N. SIMPKINS ; Sunil A. SHETH ; Amy K. STAROSCIAK ; Nicholas E. TARLOV ; Robert A. TAYLOR ; Barbara VOETSCH ; Linda ZHANG ; Hai Quang DUONG ; Viet-Phuong DAO ; Huynh Vu LE ; Thong Nhu PHAM ; Mai Duy TON ; Anh Duc TRAN ; Osama O. ZAIDAT ; Paolo MACHI ; Elisabeth DIRREN ; Claudio RODRÍGUEZ FERNÁNDEZ ; Jorge ESCARTÍN LÓPEZ ; Jose Carlos FERNÁNDEZ FERRO ; Niloofar MOHAMMADZADEH ; Neil C. SURYADEVARA, MD ; Beatriz DE LA CRUZ FERNÁNDEZ ; Filipe BESSA ; Nina JANCAR ; Megan BRADY ; Dawn SCOZZARI
Journal of Stroke 2022;24(2):256-265
Background:
and Purpose Recent studies suggested an increased incidence of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We evaluated the volume of CVT hospitalization and in-hospital mortality during the 1st year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the preceding year.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study of 171 stroke centers from 49 countries. We recorded COVID-19 admission volumes, CVT hospitalization, and CVT in-hospital mortality from January 1, 2019, to May 31, 2021. CVT diagnoses were identified by International Classification of Disease-10 (ICD-10) codes or stroke databases. We additionally sought to compare the same metrics in the first 5 months of 2021 compared to the corresponding months in 2019 and 2020 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04934020).
Results:
There were 2,313 CVT admissions across the 1-year pre-pandemic (2019) and pandemic year (2020); no differences in CVT volume or CVT mortality were observed. During the first 5 months of 2021, there was an increase in CVT volumes compared to 2019 (27.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 24.2 to 32.0; P<0.0001) and 2020 (41.4%; 95% CI, 37.0 to 46.0; P<0.0001). A COVID-19 diagnosis was present in 7.6% (132/1,738) of CVT hospitalizations. CVT was present in 0.04% (103/292,080) of COVID-19 hospitalizations. During the first pandemic year, CVT mortality was higher in patients who were COVID positive compared to COVID negative patients (8/53 [15.0%] vs. 41/910 [4.5%], P=0.004). There was an increase in CVT mortality during the first 5 months of pandemic years 2020 and 2021 compared to the first 5 months of the pre-pandemic year 2019 (2019 vs. 2020: 2.26% vs. 4.74%, P=0.05; 2019 vs. 2021: 2.26% vs. 4.99%, P=0.03). In the first 5 months of 2021, there were 26 cases of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), resulting in six deaths.
Conclusions
During the 1st year of the COVID-19 pandemic, CVT hospitalization volume and CVT in-hospital mortality did not change compared to the prior year. COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with higher CVT in-hospital mortality. During the first 5 months of 2021, there was an increase in CVT hospitalization volume and increase in CVT-related mortality, partially attributable to VITT.