ABSTRACT
Introduction. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, worldwide healthcare system faced a new, insufficiently investigated, fast-spreading disease with multisystem failure and relatively high amount of severe diseased. Existing evidence base needs to be frequently revisited after data accumulation and analysis. Experience of dedicated COVID-19 centers should be summarized and implicated in clinical practice according to evidence-based principles, extensive clinical trial initiation. Objectives. To investigate baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection course, requiring respiratory support in the critical care settings of dedicated hospital. Materials and methods. In single-center retrospective study retrospective data collection of 451 respiratory support for COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome cases (noninvasive ventilation, mechanical ventilation) in intensive care unit patients for a 5-month period performed. The analysis aimed on demographic, clinical data, disease severity scores, respiratory support parameters and modality, continuous renal replacement therapy utilization and interleukin-6 receptor blockers administration, survival rates. Results. Respiratory support required 48.8 % of intensive care unit patients, the population was demographically balanced, Charlson Comorbidity Index was 4.46 ± 2.6 and was higher in the mechanically ventilated group. 30-day survival rate (all respiratory support cases) was 33.7 %, mortality structure analysis performed. The disease severity scores, respiratory mechanics among patients in dependence of respiratory support mode and during the period of case registration analysed as well. Median static respiratory compliance at the point of initiation of invasive mechanically ventilation was 43 (IQR 35–51). Mortality in the volume controlled mechanically ventilated group was higher. Conclusions. The patients, requiring respiratory support, during intensive care unit stay have high comorbidity levels. Indications for non-invasive ventilation may be extended on patients with lower Charlson index and initial SOFA score, however, early recognition of high risk of noninvasive ventilation failure required. Volume control invasive ventilation associated with higher mortality levels despite comparable disease severity scores. Further investigation required. © 2021, Practical Medicine Publishing House LLC. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The use of monoclonal antibodies against interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptors is considered as a potential method of treatment and prevention of complications of the new coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19), based on reducing the intensity of the cytokine storm. The aim. To assess the relationship between the use of IL-6 blockers and the risk of tracheal intubation in patients with severe pneumonia associated with COVID-19. Methods. The retrospective cohort study included patients over 18 years of age admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with confirmed COVID-19 infection, lung tissue damage of at least 25% between November 4, 2020 and December 25, 2020. All patients underwent standard therapy in accordance with the current recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, including IL-6 blockers in some patients. The primary endpoint was tracheal intubation and initiation of mechanical ventilation (MV). Data on the use of IL-6 inhibitors, baseline demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics, as well as information on tracheal intubation, fatal outcomes and length of hospitalization were obtained from the unified medical information and analytical system of the city of Moscow. To analyze the relationship between the use of IL-6 blockers and endpoints adjusted for baseline characteristics, a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used. Results. The study included 242 patients, in 120 (49.5%) of them IL-6 blockers were used. The independent predictors of tracheal intubation were the degree of lung tissue damage, ferritin and diabetes, while the use of IL-6 blockers was not associated with a decrease in the risk of intubation: hazard ratio (HR) 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63 – 1.48) and death: HR 1.05 (95% CI 0.69 – 1.62). Subgroup analysis showed that, among surviving patients, the use of IL-6 blockers was associated with an average decrease in hospital stay by 3 days (95% CI 1 – 6 days). Conclusion. The use of IL-6 blockers was not associated with a decrease in the risk of tracheal intubation or death. Among surviving patients, the use of IL-6 blockers was associated with a decrease in the length of hospital stay. These findings may contribute to medical decision making during COVID-19 pandemic associated high hospital workload. © 2021 Medical Education. All rights reserved.