Prognosis of COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care unit care

Abstract

Background: There is gobal concern regarding the prognosis of COVID-19 patients requiring care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The aim of this study is to report the demographics, clinical features, comorbidities, imaging findings, and prognosis among critically ill patients with COVID-19 in the ICU. Methods: This retrospective study included patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection or clinical and radiological confirmed COVID-19 infection who were admitted to adult ICUs between March 18 and April 22, 2020. Demographic data, the recent exposure history, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings and comorbidities were recorded. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated. as well as mechanical ventilation parameters and blood gas results. Results: Twenty-four adult patients were admitted to the ICU with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 (n = 15) or clinical and radiological confirmed COVID-19 (n = 9). One or more comorbidities were detected in 22/24 of the patients. All patients had abnormal radiography imaging on admission. Twenty patients had bilateral ground-glass opacification on computerized tomography (CT) scan. Almost all patients (23/24) underwent invasive mechanical ventilation therapy. Three patients underwent noninvasive mechanical ventilation. Ten patients died. The mean length of ICU stay in patients who died was 9.6 ± 9 days (2-18 days). The mean length of ICU stay of the four patients who were discharged from the ICU to the floor was 17 ± 12.9 days. The mean length of ICU stay of patients still in the ICU was (n = 10) was 13.36 ± 10.92 days. Conclusion: The vast majority of patients admitted to the ICU with the diagnosis of COVID-19 have multiple co-morbidities, require ventilator support, and experience a high mortality rate.