COVID-19 and acute pulmonary embolism: what should be considered to indicate a computed tomography pulmonary angiography scan? [Originally published in Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop., vol. 53]

Here, we present a case of a patient with COVID-19 who developed acute pulmonary embolism. Clinical and laboratory data and findings of non-enhanced CT indicate possibility of acute pulmonary embolism, and support the decision to proceed with computed tomography pulmonary angiography that can objectively identify filling defects in pulmonary arterial branches. Image: Martha Dominguez de Gouveia. Read More →

Spatiotemporal evolution of coronavirus disease 2019 mortality in Brazil in 2020 [Originally published in Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop., vol. 53]

In summary, Brazilian states with the greatest lack of health resources have shown the highest COVID-19 mortality rate. Inequalities in availability and access to the health care system represent additional challenges, given the increase in COVID-19 mortality in the country. This study reinforces the need for an urgent expansion of the operational capacity of the Unified Health System.
Image: Veit Hammer. Read More →

War economy and the COVID-19 pandemic: Inequalities in stimulus packages as an additional challenge for health systems [Originally published in Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop., vol. 53]

War economics refers to the set of exceptional economic measures taken during a certain period of time, generally defined by the existence of an armed conflict (war). It is characterized by the increase in public spending and centralization of economic guidelines within the scope of public power, which starts to dictate the economy’s mode of operation seeking to save it. War economics refers to the set of exceptional economic measures taken during a certain period of time, generally defined by the existence of an armed conflict (war). It is characterized by the increase in public spending and centralization of economic guidelines within the scope of public power, which starts to dictate the economy’s mode of operation seeking to save it. Image: newelement. Read More →

Individuals with covert severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection: Are they a critical booby-trap? [Originally published in Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop., vol. 53]

I believe that in Egypt, the first phase of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was characterized by symptomless (covert) carriers. Covert carriers are individuals who test positive for the virus on laboratory testing but are symptomless and can shed the virus. Numerous researchers assume that there is an unobserved pool of these carriers because in many cases, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections could not be related to contact with persons with infection or to travel to epidemic areas. Read More →

Clinical characteristics and therapeutic procedure for a critical case of novel coronavirus pneumonia treated with glucocorticoids and non-invasive ventilator treatment [Originally published in Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop., vol. 53]

The novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) outbreak occurred in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019. Here, we report the clinical characteristics and therapeutic procedure for a case of severe NCP. The patient was started on glucocorticoids and non-invasive ventilator treatment. After treatment, the patient’s symptoms improved, and the status was confirmed as NCP negative. Our results may provide clues for the treatment of NCP. Image: Adhy Savala. Read More →

Surveillance of the first cases of COVID-19 in Sergipe using a prospective spatiotemporal analysis: the spatial dispersion and its public health implications [Originally published in Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop., vol. 53]

We performed a prospective space-time analysis using confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the first 7 weeks of the outbreak in Sergipe. The prospective space-time statistic detected “active” and emerging spatio-temporal clusters comprising six municipalities in the south-central region of the state. The Geographic Information System (GIS) associated with spatio-temporal scan statistics can provide timely support for surveillance and assist in decision-making. Image: Brian McGowan. Read More →

Laboratory medicine resilience during coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic [Originally published in J. Bras. Patol. Med. Lab., vol.56]

In vitro diagnostic testing has been a virtually innocent target of heavy, reiterated, often irrational cost-containment polices during the past decades, which have contributed to diminishing the availability of technical and human resources all around the world. Although working close to the “minimal level of survival” has hence become commonplace in the vast majority of laboratory services, the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has triggered an unexpected and unprecedented universal crisis, which has rapidly overwhelmed the responsive capacity of the entire system of health care, thus also including laboratory diagnostics. Image: Michael Schiffer. Read More →

Diabetes and COVID-19: more than the sum of two morbidities [Originally published in Rev. Saúde Pública, vol.54]

We emphasized how the burden of these two morbidities in a middle income country has aggravated this pandemic scenario. The comprehension of this association and biological plausibility may help face this pandemic and future challenges. Image: Matt Chesin. Read More →

Investigation of Turkish dentists’ clinical attitudes and behaviors towards the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey study [Originally published in Braz. Oral Res., vol. 34]

Although Turkish dentists took some precautionary measures, they did not take enough precautions to protect themselves, the dental staff, and other patients from COVID-19. As the number of COVID-19 cases increased, the measures taken slightly increased in dental clinics as well. Dentists are strongly recommended to take maximum precautions in the clinical setting. The guidelines about the COVID-19 pandemic should be sent to all dentists by the regional and national dental associations. Image: Yingpis Kalayom. Read More →

Chronic phase of COVID-19: challenges for physical therapists in the face of musculoskeletal disorders [Originally published in Fisioter. mov., vol. 33]

Although little is known about the long-term physical consequences of COVID-19, patients who need mechanical ventilation in the most acute phase of disease can experience serious side effects, developing the so-called post-intensive care syndrome, which affects survivors of all ages. Image: Clay Banks. Read More →

Covid-19 and Safety in the Cath Lab: Where We Are and Where We Are Headed [Originally published in Int. J. Cardiovasc. Sci.]

Working in a hospital during a pandemic of a highly contagious disease, such as COVID-19, reminds healthcare workers of the need to reinforce all safety measures inside a cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL). That is because, in addition to the cardiovascular alterations due to COVID-19, patients with cardiovascular diseases, such as acute myocardial infarction and advanced structural diseases, continue to require interventional procedures. Image: @visuals. Read More →

Exercise Training: A Hero that Can Fight two Pandemics at Once [Originally published in Int. J. Cardiovasc. Sci.]

Government measures that restrict people at home during the COVID-19 pandemic do not need to encourage the wider spread of the sedentarism pandemic. Exercise can fight both public health problems, as long as it is adequately prescribed. Maintaining regular physical activity at home is pivotal for healthy living during and after the COVID-19 global crisis. Image: Jonathan Borba. Read More →

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic: An Opportunity Window to Implement Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation [Originally published in Int. J. Cardiovasc. Sci.]

Current evidence suggests that remote cardiac rehabilitation programs must be implemented during the pandemic, since the risks of sedentary behavior outweigh the risks of well-planned programs. Image: visuals. Read More →

Re: Reflections on the COVID-19 Pandemic [Originally published in Int. braz j urol., vol.46 no.4]

If telemedicine allows for the remote provision of healthcare by means of electronic communication tools in case of medical conditions, surgical indications could be not deferrable. Major surgical societies have been prompted in publishing position papers and guidelines for best surgical practice. Among these, the European Association of Urology (EAU) Robotic Urology Section (ERUS) recently published its Guidelines on dealing with robotic surgery in the COVID-19 era. Image: visuals. Read More →

Reflections on the COVID-19 Pandemic [Originally published in Int. braz j urol., vol.46 no.4]

Urologists are no longer operating; elective surgeries have been postponed, outpatient clinics have suspended consultations, and in many countries urologists have already left the specialty and are dedicating themselves to patients with Covid-19. The healthcare systems of many countries are collap-sing and the percentage of doctors and other health professionals who have become contaminated is very large. Image: visuals. Read More →