Follow-up and evolution of a patient with COVID-19 and severe ARDS: case report

Abstract

A 42-year-old patient, a physician, with a history of high blood pressure and essential tremor, who received a dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222). It began with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and evolved unfavorably, developing Severe Respiratory Distress Syndrome. He was admitted to Intensive Care Unit requiring mechanical respiratory assistance, sedation, neuromuscular blockers and prone position. He evolved favorably so he was placed in the supine position 24 hours a day and managed to be extubated on the third day. On the 13th day of hospitalization, he was discharged from the hospital. One month later, pulmonary rehabilitation begins on an outpatient basis. A self-administered quality of life questionnaire (RAND36) was taken, where all spheres, mainly physical and emotional, were found to be affected, achieving improvement in each of them 4 weeks after rehabilitation. Functionality was evaluated through the Sit to Stand 1 minute and the Time Up and Go where favorable results were also obtained at 4 weeks.