The Utility of Handheld Cardiac and Lung Ultrasound in Predicting Outcomes of Hospitalised Patients With COVID-19
Strict isolation precautions limit formal echocardiography use in the setting of COVID-19 infection. Information on the importance of handheld focused ultrasound for cardiac evaluation in these patients is scarce. This study investigated the utility of a handheld echocardiography device in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in diagnosing cardiac pathologies and predicting the composite end point of in-hospital death, mechanical ventilation, shock, and acute decompensated heart failure.Influenza Vaccination in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease in the Pre-COVID-19 Era: Coverage Rate, Patient Characteristics, and Outcomes
Influenza vaccination is the most commonly recommended immune prevention strategy. However, data on influenza vaccination in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are scarce. In this study, our goals were to: (1) measure vaccination coverage rates (VCRs) for influenza in a large cohort of children, adolescents, and adults with CHD; (2) identify patient characteristics as predictors for vaccination; and (3) investigate the effect of influenza vaccination on hospitalization.COVID-19–Myocarditis and Return to Play: Reflections and Recommendations From a Canadian Working Group
The COVID-19–related pandemic has resulted in profound health, financial, and societal impacts. Organized sporting events, from recreational to the Olympic level, have been cancelled to both mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect athletes and highly active individuals from potential acute and long-term infection-associated harms. COVID-19 infection has been associated with increased cardiac morbidity and mortality. Myocarditis and late gadolinium enhancement as a result of COVID-19 infection have been confirmed.Safe Reintroduction of Cardiovascular Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: From the North American Society Leadership
The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to marked global morbidity and mortality (1–3). There have been appropriate but significant restrictions on routine medical care to comply with public health guidance on physical distancing and to help preserve or redirect limited resources. Most invasive cardiovascular (CV) procedures and diagnostic tests have been deferred with North American CV societies advocating for intensified triage and management of patients on waiting lists (4). Unfortunately, patients with untreated CV disease are at increased risk of adverse outcomes (5).
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. except certain content provided by third parties. The content on this site is intended for healthcare professionals.
