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Background. COVID-19 disease is the cause of daily morbidity and mortality worldwide due to its high transmissibility and pathogenicity. To date, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) injection has been used as one of the various treatments for this disease. This study aimed to determine the effect of IVIg injection on the treatment of patients with Coronavirus-induced cytokine storm. Methods. A total of 174 patients with COVID-19 were included in this study based on their clinical characteristics and laboratory findings and were divided into two groups of IVIg recipients and non-recipients according to the treatment they received. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. IVIg was used to treat merely 20 patients and Kaletra and hemoperfusion drugs were used more among IVIg recipient patients (P=0.003 and P=0.001, respectively). COVID-19-positive PCR tests were significantly more frequent among IVIg recipients (P=0.026). The polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) count (P=0.007) and sodium level (P=0.007) were significantly higher in the IVIg recipient group on the first admission day. Moreover, INR levels in the IVIg recipient group were significantly lower on the seventh admission day (P=0.020). The median of total intensive care unit (ICU) duration of hospitalization among IVIg recipients was significantly higher (P=0.001). Conclusion. It seems that the use of IVIg in COVID-19 patients should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic. There is an urgent need for finding efficient medical treatments to diminish the high mortality rate of the mutant variants of the virus. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of edaravone in patients with moderate COVID-19. Methods. This single-center non-randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19. The patients were divided into two groups of intervention (n=17) and control (n=16). Patients in the intervention group received three doses of edaravone (30 mg) for three interval days (Days 2, 4, and 6). Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), need for intubation, and mortality were the primary outcomes. Results. All cases had 15-60% lung involvement. Although edaravone reduced the admission to ICU, need for intubation, and mortality rate in patients with moderate COVID-19, the results were not statistically significant. Baseline characteristics, admission days, and clinical parameters were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion. Administration of edaravone 30 mg for three days had no significant effect on the overall outcome of patients with moderate COVID-19. Practical Implications. In this study, none of the COVID-19 patients receiving edaravone had ICU admission, intubation, and mortality. However, no significant difference was found between the clinical outcomes of the control and intervention groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing every year, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and even death. In Cardiorenal syndrome type 2 (CRS2), chronic cardiac dysfunction causes renal dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate Doppler ultrasound of renal veins, calculate venous impedance index (VII) and determine their associations with the prognosis of CRS2 syndrome in patients with a history of chronic heart disease and CKD with a good forward function. Methods. In this descriptive-analytical study, 49 patients referred to Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz with heart failure and renal dysfunction were selected. Renal status, VII and ejection fraction (EF) were evaluated. Results. Mean age of the patients was 61.83±12.39 years, 42.9% of which were women and 57.1% were men. The durations of heart and renal failure were 33.16 ± 13.8 and 11.76±5.1 months, respectively. Significant associations were found between VII and EF of the right and left kidneys (P=0.01 and P =0.03, respectively). But there was no statistically significant relationship between renal function and EF (P =0.54). With increasing edema rate, both VII and EF were decreased; however, these associations were not statistically significant (P >0.05). Conclusion. According to the results, significant associations were found between VII and EF of right and left kidneys, however, no statistically significant correlations were observed between edema and VII mean and EF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]