Ill COVID-19 Patients Research Articles

Thromboelastography-Guided Anticoagulation in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: Mortality and Bleeding Outcomes

Hypercoagulability in COVID-19 patients was associated with increased mortality risk during the pandemic. This retrospective, observational study investigated whether the use of a thromboelastography (TEG)-guided anticoagulation protocol could decrease death and bleeding in critically ill COVID-19 patients. A TEG-guided protocol was instituted in one of two intensive care units. Primary outcomes of composite scores were the following: (0) major bleed and death; (1) death without major bleed; (2) major bleed without death; and (3) no bleed or death. Out of 134 patients, 67 in the TEG group were propensity matched to 67 in the comparator group based on age, gender, body mass index, presence of chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and duration of non-invasive ventilation. There were no significant differences in rates of composite outcomes of bleeding or death in patients managed with or without a TEG-guided protocol (p = 0.22, Bowker symmetry testing). Out of the 67 patients in the TEG group, the TEG protocol led to anticoagulation change in 26 patients. Death was lower in this TEG-changed group (54%) compared to the comparator group (81%), although not significant (p = 0.07). TEG-guided protocol use did not reduce composite outcomes of death and bleeding, Future studies may further elucidate potential benefits.

Sarcopenia and Mortality in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients.

COVID-19 can manifest as either asymptomatic or progressing to a severe phase in some patients, which may require hospitalization. These patients may experience dyspnea and hypoxia, leading to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Studies have reported an increased risk of severe sarcopenia in COVID-19 patients during and after recovery. This narrative review aimed to summarize and synthesize available studies on the association between sarcopenia and mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients. A total of 22 studies conducted on hospitalized COVID-19 patients were included in this review. Of those, 17 studies reported a direct association, while 5 studies showed no association between sarcopenia and mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. It is important to maintain muscle quality and quantity in defense against COVID-19. The measurement of lean muscle mass should be included in the risk assessment of severely ill COVID-19 patients as part of the therapy plan.

Efficacy of Tocilizumab in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients Followed in the Intensive Care Unit

Efficacy of Tocilizumab in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients Followed in the Intensive Care Unit

Convalescent Plasma Treatment for Moderate to Critical Ill COVID-19 Patients – A Safe but Futile Treatment: A Non-Randomized Comparative Study

Background: In a number of cases of viral infection, convalescent plasma therapy has been effective. Reportedly, the use of convalescent plasma as a therapy for COVID-19 patients with severe and life-threatening disorders is beneficial at this time. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of convalescent plasma transfusions in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Subjects and Method: This was a clinical trial employing a non-randomized comparative study. A historical control group (21 samples) and convalescent plasma transfusions (21 samples) was selected consecutively from hospitalized COVID-19 patients between May 6th, 2020, and May 6th, 2021 at Dr. Moewardi General Hospital. We assessed and quantified viral clearance in the laboratory. Statistical analysis is performed in SPSS version 20.0. Results: Plasma was taken from fifteen convalescent donors. In the plasma convalescent treatment group, there was a statistically significant difference between outcome and severity degree (p = 0.005). In addition, there was a substantial discrepancy between the result group and the control group (p 0.005). Significant differences in post-treatment NLR between the control and treatment groups (p 0.005). In addition, there were statistically significant differences between the control and treatment groups in post-treatment hsCRP levels (p 0.005). In addition, there were statistically significant differences (p 0.005) between all groups' inflammatory markers and outcomes. Conclusion: Using convalescent plasma to treat patients with COVID-19 is a rather safe practice. Our analysis demonstrated that the administration of convalescent plasma did not enhance survival or clinical outcomes for COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe disease. Keywords: COVID-19, convalescent therapy, critical ill

Endothelial Biomarkers in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: Potential Predictors of the Need for Dialysis

Plain Language SummaryThis study reports the use of endothelial biomarkers as useful tools to predict the first dialysis requirement during the ICU stay in patients with severe COVID-19. Endothelial dysfunction is an important mechanism to explain the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

Use of Morphine in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: An Ethics Reflection

Abstract The use of Morphine in terminal COVID is different from that in palliative care due to variable nature of the pandemic. In developing countries, the limitations in resources that can arise during a COVID wave, necessitates the availability of national guidelines for terminal care.

New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in the Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit.

New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is the most frequently encountered cardiac arrhythmia observed in patients with COVID-19 infection, particularly in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. The purpose of the present review is to delve into the occurrence of NOAF in COVID-19 and thoroughly review recent, pertinent data. However, the causality behind this connection has yet to be thoroughly explored. The proposed mechanisms that could contribute to the development of AF in these patients include myocardial damage resulting from direct virus-induced cardiac injury, potentially leading to perimyocarditis; a cytokine crisis and heightened inflammatory response; hypoxemia due to acute respiratory distress; disturbances in acid-base and electrolyte levels; as well as the frequent use of adrenergic drugs in critically ill patients. Additionally, secondary bacterial sepsis and septic shock have been suggested as primary causes of NOAF in ICU patients. This notion gains strength from the observation of a similar prevalence of NOAF in septic non-COVID ICU patients with ARDS. It is plausible that both myocardial involvement from SARS-CoV-2 and secondary sepsis play pivotal roles in the onset of arrhythmia in ICU patients. Nonetheless, there exists a significant variation in the prevalence of NOAF among studies focused on severe COVID-19 cases with ARDS. This discrepancy could be attributed to the inclusion of mixed populations with varying degrees of illness severity, encompassing not only patients in general wards but also those admitted to the ICU, whether intubated or not. Furthermore, the occurrence of NOAF is linked to increased morbidity and mortality. However, it remains to be determined whether NOAF independently influences outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 ICU patients or if it merely reflects the disease's severity. Lastly, the management of NOAF in these patients has not been extensively studied. Nevertheless, the current guidelines for NOAF in non-COVID ICU patients appear to be effective, while accounting for the specific drugs used in COVID-19 treatment that may prolong the QT interval (although drugs like lopinavir/ritonavir, hydrochlorothiazide, and azithromycin have been discontinued) or induce bradycardia (e.g., remdesivir).

Characterization of Acid-Base Status of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients by Stewart's Methodology

Characterization of Acid-Base Status of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients by Stewart's Methodology

The Effect of Glycemic Control on Morbidity and Mortality in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients.

Background COVID-19 infection has caused a global pandemic affecting a group of patients with chronic conditions including diabetes with exacerbating insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Investigators noted that pre-existing diabetes and newly diagnosed diabetes are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection. Aim To evaluate the relationship between ICU patients infected with COVID-19 and mortality among those with high versus low glucose levels. Methods This is a retrospective study of critically ill adult patients infected with COVID-19 who were admitted to the ICU from April 5, 2020, to October 14, 2020. The participants were from San Bernardino County which is a diverse and underserved community. Overall, 84 patients were included in the final analysis. The average age was 59.67 (standard deviation=15.55) with 59.5% being males. Overall mortality was 44.1%. Results Around one-fifth of patients had glucose under control as measured by peak glucose level of <180 mg/dL during hospital stay. A statistically significant association was seen between tighter serum glucose control and mortality (p=0.0354). Patients with serum glucose maintained <180 mg/dL were associated with significantly lower mortality than their counterparts (22.2% vs. 50%). Conclusions This study suggests that maintaining a tighter control of the glycemic index in critically ill COVID-19 patients will improve morbidity and mortality.

Assessment of the Diaphragm Thickness Decrease in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: Could Computed Tomography Be of Aid Regarding Diaphragm Muscle Mass?

The diaphragm has a significant clinical value on respiratory performance. There is little literature on the use of thorax computed tomography for the purpose of identifying alterations in diaphragm thickness in critically ill patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The present study aims to investigate dynamic changes in muscle thickness and its association with clinical outcomes. A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary intensive care unit (ICU). The study comprised adult patients with severe COVID-19 who were admitted to the ICUand underwent two thorax CT scans. We measured diaphragmatic thicknessat the level of the celiac truncus. The average reduction in thickness of the dynamic diaphragm was found to be -0.58 mm for the right diaphragm and -0.54 mm for the left diaphragm. The diaphragm thickness exhibited a substantial decrease on both the right and left sides in both CT scans (p=0.02). A negative correlation coefficient was observed for both the right and left diaphragm. The criterion indicating a poor prognosis for the right diaphragm was a value greater than -0.175, whereas it was more significant for the left diaphragm than -0.435. The cut-off values indicated a high risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation andan increased risk of ICU mortality. CT diaphragm evaluation inmechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients has the possibility of becoming a reliable tool for predicting muscle modifications.

The Role of Inflammatory Indices in Predicting Intensive Care Unit Mortalıty in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

The Role of Inflammatory Indices in Predicting Intensive Care Unit Mortalıty in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Study of Biochemical Parameters as Predictors for Need of Invasive Ventilation in Severely Ill COVID-19 Patients.

Though laboratory tests have been shown to predict mortality in COVID-19, there is still a dearth of information regarding the role of biochemical parameters in predicting the type of ventilatory support that these patients may require. The purpose of our retrospective observational study was to investigate the relationship between biochemical parameters and the type of ventilatory support needed for the intensive care of severely ill COVID-19 patients. We comprehensively recorded history, physical examination, vital signs from point-of-care testing (POCT) devices, clinical diagnosis, details of the ventilatory support required in intensive care and the results of the biochemical analysis at the time of admission. Appropriate statistical methods were used and P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was performed and Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.6 to 0.7, 0.7 to 0.8, 0.8 to 0.9, and >0.9, respectively, were regarded as acceptable, fair, good, and exceptional for discrimination. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in Urea (p = 0.0351), Sodium (p = 0.0142), Indirect Bilirubin (p = 0.0251), Albumin (p = 0.0272), Aspartate Transaminase (AST) (p = 0.0060) and Procalcitonin (PCT) (p = 0.0420) were observed between the patients who were maintained on non-invasive ventilations as compared to those who required invasive ventilation. In patients who required invasive ventilation, the levels of Urea, Sodium, Indirect bilirubin, AST and PCT were higher while Albumin was lower. On ROC analysis, higher levels of Albumin was found to be acceptable indicator of maintenance on non-invasive ventilation while higher levels of Sodium and PCT were found to be fair predictor of requirement of invasive ventilation. Our study emphasizes the role of biochemical parameters in predicting the type of ventilatory support that is needed in order to properly manage severely ill COVID-19 patients.

PB0073 A Retrospective Study of Two Anticoagulation Therapies In Critically Ill Covid-19 Patients Prior to Vaccination Era

PB0073 A Retrospective Study of Two Anticoagulation Therapies In Critically Ill Covid-19 Patients Prior to Vaccination Era

Kinetics of C-Reactive Protein and Procalcitonin in the Early Identification of ICU-Acquired Infections in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients.

We undertook a prospective observational cohort study (12 months). All adult mechanically ventilated patients admitted for ≥72 h to ICU with COVID-19 pneumonia were divided into an infected group (n = 35) and a non-infected group (n = 83). Day 0 was considered as the day of the diagnosis of infection (infected group) and Day 10 was that of ICU stay (non-infected group). The kinetics of CRP and PCT were assessed from Day -10 to Day 10 and evaluated using a general linear model, univariate, repeated-measures analysis. 118 patients (mean age 63 years, 74% males) were eligible for the analysis. The groups did not differ in patient age, gender, CRP and PCT serum levels at ICU admission. However, the infected group encompassed patients with a higher severity (SOFA score at ICU admission, p = 0.009) and a higher 28-day mortality (p < 0.001). Before D0, CRP kinetics showed a significant increase in infected patients, whereas in noninfected it remained almost unchanged (p < 0.001), while PCT kinetics did not appear to retain diagnostic value to predict superinfection in COVID-19 patients (p = 0.593). COVID-19 patients who developed ICU-acquired infections exhibited different biomarker kinetics before the diagnosis of those infections. Daily CRP monitoring and the recognition of the CRP kinetics could be useful in the prediction of ICU-acquired infections.

The Influence of Climate on Critically Ill Pregnant COVID-19 Patients, as Revealed by the Inflammation Indexes, in Spring versus Autumn 2021 Infection

The Influence of Climate on Critically Ill Pregnant COVID-19 Patients, as Revealed by the Inflammation Indexes, in Spring versus Autumn 2021 Infection

Influence of a Structured Microbiological Endotracheal Monitoring Program on the Outcome of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: An Observational Study.

In past influenza pandemics and the current COVID-19 pandemic, bacterial endotracheal superinfections are a well-known risk factor for higher morbidity and mortality. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of a structured, objective, microbiological monitoring program on the prognosis of COVID-19 patients with mechanical ventilation. A structured microbiological monitoring program (at intubation, then every 3 days) included collection of endotracheal material. Data analysis focused on the spectrum of bacterial pathogens, mortality, as well as intensive care unit (ICU), hospital, and mechanical ventilation duration. A total of 29% of the patients showed bacterial coinfection at the time of intubation, and within 48 h, 56% developed ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Even though patients with VAP had significantly longer ICU, hospital, and mechanical ventilation durations, there was no significant difference in mortality between patients with VAP pneumonia and patients without bacterial infection. VAP is a common complication in COVID-19 patients. In contrast to already published studies, in our study implementing a structured microbiological monitoring program, COVID-19 patients with bacterial coinfection or VAP did not show higher mortality. Thus, a standardized, objective, microbiological screening can help detect coinfection and ventilator-associated infections, refining anti-infective therapy and positively influencing patient outcomes.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study.

An alarming number of COVID-19 patients, especially in severe cases, have developed acute kidney injury (AKI). The study aimed to assess the frequency, risk factors, and impact of AKI on mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The study was a retrospective observational study conducted in the MICU. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for AKI and clinical outcomes. During the study period, 465 consecutive COVID-19 patients were admitted to the MICU. The patients' characteristics were median age, 64 [54-71] years; median SAPSII, 31 [24-38]; and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), 244 (52.5%). The overall ICU mortality rate was 49%. Two hundred twenty-nine (49.2%) patients developed AKI. The factors independently associated with AKI were positive fluid balance (OR, 2.78; 95%CI [1.88-4.11]; p < 0.001), right heart failure (OR, 2.15; 95%CI [1.25-3.67]; p = 0.005), and IMV use (OR, 1.55; 95%CI [1.01-2.40]; p = 0.044). Among the AKI patients, multivariate analysis identified the following factors as independently associated with ICU mortality: age (OR, 1.05; 95%CI [1.02-1.09]; p = 0.012), IMV use (OR, 48.23; 95%CI [18.05-128.89]; p < 0.001), and septic shock (OR, 3.65; 95%CI [1.32-10.10]; p = 0.012). The present study revealed a high proportion of AKI among critically ill COVID-19 patients. This complication seems to be linked to a severe cardiopulmonary interaction and fluid balance management, thus accounting for a poor outcome.

Association of Trace Element Levels with Outcomes in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients.

The primary objective of this study was to compare the plasma levels of copper, selenium, and zinc between critically ill COVID-19 patients and less severe COVID-19 patients. The secondary objective was to investigate the association of these trace element levels with adverse outcomes, including the duration of mechanical ventilation, occurrence of septic shock, and mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients. All COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU of the Geneva University Hospitals between 9 March 2020 and 19 May 2020 were included in the study. Plasma levels of copper, selenium and zinc were measured on admission to the ICU and compared with levels measured in COVID-19 patients hospitalized on the ward and in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. To analyze the association of trace elements with clinical outcomes, multivariate linear and logistic regressions were performed. Patients in the ICU had significantly lower levels of selenium and zinc and higher levels of copper compared to COVID-19 patients hospitalized on the ward and in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In ICU patients, lower zinc levels tended to be associated with more septic shock and increased mortality compared to those with higher zinc levels (p = 0.07 for both). Having lower copper or selenium levels was associated with a longer time under mechanical ventilation (p = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). These associations remained significant in multivariate analyses (p = 0.03 for copper and p = 0.04 for selenium). These data support the need for interventional studies to assess the potential benefit of zinc, copper and selenium supplementation in severe COVID-19 patients.

Discordance Between Invasive and NonInvasive Oxygen Saturation in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients.

To investigate discordance in oxy-hemoglobin saturation measured both by pulse oximetry (SpO2) and arterial blood gas (ABG, SaO2) among critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19(+)) patients compared to COVID-19(-) patients. Paired SpO2 and SaO2 readings were collected retrospectively from consecutive adult admissions to four critical care units in the United States between March and May 2020. The primary outcome was the rate of discordance (|SaO2-SpO2|>4%) in COVID-19(+) versus COVID-19(-) patients. The odds each cohort could have been incorrectly categorized as having a PaO2/FiO2 above or below 150 by their SpO2: Fractional inhaled oxygen ratio (pulse oximetry-derived oxyhemoglobin saturation:fraction of inspired oxygen ratio [SF]) was examined. A multivariate regression analysis assessed confounding by clinical differences between cohorts including pH, body temperature, renal replacement therapy at time of blood draw, and self-identified race. There were 263 patients (173 COVID-19(+)) included. The rate of saturation discordance between SaO2 and SpO2 in COVID-19(+) patients was higher than in COVID-19(-) patients (27.9% vs 16.7%, odds ratio [OR] 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11 to 2.27). The average difference between SaO2 and SpO2 for COVID-19(+) patients was -1.24% (limits of agreement, -13.6 to 11.1) versus -0.11 [-10.3 to 10.1] for COVID-19(-) patients. COVID-19(+) patients had higher odds (OR: 2.61, 95% CI: 1.14-5.98) of having an SF that misclassified that patient as having a PaO2:FiO2 ratio above or below 150. There was not an association between discordance and the confounders of pH, body temperature, or renal replacement therapy at time of blood draw. After controlling for self-identified race, the association between COVID-19 status and discordance was lost. Pulse oximetry was discordant with ABG more often in critically ill COVID-19(+) than COVID-19(-) patients. However, these findings appear to be driven by racial differences between cohorts.

Impact of Mechanical Ventilation and Renal Replacement Therapy on Clinical Outcomes among Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Background: Poor clinical outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 occur due to many factors that require elucidation. The objective of this study was to describe the outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19 and identify the risk factors for mortality. Materials and Methods: The study was a single-centered cross-sectional, observational study involving COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) of a tertiary care hospital in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The patients were admitted between 1 March and 31 December 2020. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for mortality. Results: Of 107 patients admitted, 98 (91.6%) were ≥40 years old and 84 (78.5%) were males. The mean oxygen saturation at admission was 79.6 ± 12.6%, the duration of ICU stay was 13.0 ± 11.6 days, and 65 (60.7%) of the patients received mechanical ventilation. Major comorbidities included hypertension (57%), diabetes (56%), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (15.5%). The overall mortality rate was 51.4%; this was higher in patients who received mechanical ventilation (60 vs. 38.1%; p = 0.03) and those with co-morbid hypertension (60.7 vs. 39.1%; p = 0.03). Risk factors for mortality were: need for mechanical ventilation agent of record adjusted Odds ratio (aOR) 4.4 (1.6–12.6), co-morbid hypertension aOR 5.8 (1.6–21.1), having CKD aOR 5.4 (1.2–25.6) and receiving renal replacement therapy aOR 4.3 (1.4–13.0). Conclusions: The use of mechanical ventilation or renal replacement therapy among critically ill COVID-19 patients could potentially predict worse outcomes. Patients with existing hypertension or CKD may carry a higher mortality risk.