ABSTRACT
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems attempted to rapidly reorganise their healthcare including implementation of Respiratory Support Units (RSU). Aim(s): To describe the characteristics of the patients admitted to our RSU. Method(s): Observational study including patients admitted to the RSU with bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia from 03/15/2020 to 09/14/2021. Clinical characteristics, gasometrical data on admission, pharmacological treatments, respiratory support therapies, days of stay in the RSU, complications and mortality are described. Result(s): 176 patients (111 men) were included, mean age 64 years. Most frequent comorbidities: hypertension (93 patients), dyslipidaemia (70), obesity (49) and diabetes (45). On admission, the mean respiratory rate was 24 rpm, PaO2/FiO2 143 mmHg. Most used drugs: Enoxaparin > 40mg/day in 126 patients, Dexamethasone in 113, Tocilizumab in 102 and Remdesivir in 53. Parenteral nutrition was received by 26 patients. All patients received oxygen therapy, CPAP was applied to 86 patients and NIV to 55. Mean PEEP applied was 11 cm H2O. Twenty-three patients presented myopathy, 12 pulmonary thromboembolism, 8 haemorrhagic accidents, 3 pneumothorax, 3 venous thromboses, 3 infections due to multiresistant germs, and 2 confussional syndromes. Mean RSU stay was 12 days. Fitting patients required IOT and global mortality was 12%. Conclusion(s): 1. The RSU has allowed us to assume the great demand for care of seriously ill patients derived from the current COVID-19 pandemic. 2. Non-invasive ventilation techniques are a valid alternative for the treatment of hypoxemic respiratory failure refractory to conventional oxygen therapy in these patients.