Management of COVID-19 in the Intensive Care Unit.

INTRODUCTION: A novel coronavirus was identified in the last days of 2019, which caused a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. Since Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was identified and caused a pandemic, morbidity and mortality caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other disease-related complications are being struggled against in intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: In this chapter, clinical features, epidemiological properties, and management of critically ill COVID-19 patients aree discussed with the support of recent literature. RESULTS: Since there isn't a definitively proven treatment for the disease, the management of critical illness is adequate supportive medical care based upon the basic principles of critically ill patient management. Supportive oxygen therapy modalities and mechanical ventilation strategies are most challenging issues during the course of the disease in ICUs. Additionally, using combinations of investigational drugs is beneficial for the management of the disease. Because the disease is highly contagious, infection control measures to stop the disease's nosocomial spread are crucial. CONCLUSION: The basis of management in critically ill COVID-19 patients is providing adequate ICU care. Additionally, a combination of promising treatment strategies specific to the disease may be beneficial and should be monitored carefully.

Clinical Outcomes and Independent Risk Factors for 90-Day Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with Respiratory Failure Infected with SARS-CoV-2: A Multicenter Study in Turkish Intensive Care Units.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 from different parts of the world. AIMS: To determine risk factors of 90-day mortality in critically ill patients in Turkish intensive care units (ICUs), with respiratory failure. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, observational cohort. METHODS: Patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and who had been followed up in the ICUs with respiratory failure for more than 24 hours were included in the study. Their demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory variables, treatment protocols, and survival data were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 421 patients were included. The median age was 67 (IQR: 57-76) years, and 251 patients (59.6%) were men. The 90-day mortality rate was 55.1%. The factors independently associated with 90-day mortality were invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) (HR 4.09 [95% CI: [2.20-7.63], P < .001), lactate level >2 mmol/L (2.78 [1.93-4.01], P < .001), age ≥60 years (2.45 [1.48-4.06)], P < .001), cardiac arrhythmia during ICU stay (2.01 [1.27-3.20], P = .003), vasopressor treatment (1.94 [1.32-2.84], P = .001), positive fluid balance of ≥600 mL/day (1.68 [1.21-2.34], P = .002), PaO2/FiO2 ratio of ≤150 mmHg (1.66 [1.18-2.32], P = .003), and ECOG score ≥1 (1.42 [1.00-2.02], P = .050). CONCLUSION: Long-term mortality was high in critically ill patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in intensive care units in Turkey. Invasive mechanical ventilation, lactate level, age, cardiac arrhythmia, vasopressor therapy, positive fluid balance, severe hypoxemia and ECOG score were the independent risk factors for 90-day mortality.