The Clinical Course and Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized Due to COVID-19 during Three Pandemic Waves in Poland: A Single Center Observational Study.

Background: The first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Poland was reported on 4 March 2020. We aim to compare the clinical course and outcomes of patients hospitalized in the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw due to COVID-19 during three pandemic waves. Materials and methods: The medical data were collected for all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 hospitalized in our hospital from 6 March 2020 till 30 November 2021. COVID-19 diagnosis was confirmed by nasopharyngeal swabs using real-time polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) or SARS-CoV-2 antigen test. COVID-19 waves were defined based on the number and dynamics of cases. Results: Altogether, 2138 patient medical records were analyzed. The majority of the cohort was male (1235/2138, 57.8%), and the median age was 65 years [IQR: 50−74 years]. Patients hospitalized during the third wave had lower oxygen saturation on admission (p < 0.001) and were more likely to receive oxygen supplementation (p < 0.001). Serious complications, including pneumothorax (p < 0.001) and thromboembolic complications (p < 0.001), intensive care unit admission (p = 0.034), and death (p = 0.003), occurred more often in patients of the third wave. Conclusions: During the third wave, patients in our cohort experienced a more severe course of the disease and poorer outcomes.

DIC, SIC or CAC - the haemostatic profile in COVID-19 patients hospitalised in the intensive care unit: a single-centre retrospective analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 in its most severe form leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring mechanical ventilation under the conditions of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The state of hypercoagulation described in COVID-19 may deepen respiratory failure, leading to increased mortality. The aim of the presented study is to characterise the haemostatic profile based on the results of clotting system parameters and risk assessment of thromboembolic complications of patients hospitalised in the ICU. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study covered the first 10 adult patients hospitalised in the ICU of the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw in the second quarter of 2020. Demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters of the coagulation system and the risk of thromboembolic complications were assessed. Well known criteria of haemostatic disorders were used to classify the observed derangements. RESULTS: The most frequently observed deviations in the coagulation system were high concentrations of D-dimer and fibrinogen. In select cases the clotting time was prolonged. No severe thrombocytopenia was observed. All patients presented a high risk of thromboembolic complications as assesed by the Padua score. The observed clotting abnormalities did not meet the criteria for DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) and SIC (sepsis-induced coagulopathy) diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The main elements of coagulopathy that were observed in our cases differ from those usually seen in patients with recognised sepsis. The unique haemostatic profile of COVID-19 patients treated in the ICU has been described as CAC (COVID-19-associated coagulopathy).

How to follow-up a patient who received tocilizumab in severe COVID-19: a case report.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is characterized by fast deterioration in the mechanism of cytokine storm. Therefore, treatment with immunomodulating agents should be initiated as soon as hyperinflammation is established. Evidence for the use of tocilizumab (TCZ) in COVID-19 is emerging, but the drug in this setting is used "off label" with limited data on both effectiveness and safety. Therefore, Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw established a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the use of TCZ in severe COVID-19 cases. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we present a case of 27-year-old, otherwise healthy man, who was successfully treated with chloroquine, azithromycin, tocilizumab and a standard of care. Initially the magnitude of lung devastation, clinical deterioration and the need for mechanical ventilation suggested unfavorable prognosis. However, we observed complete regression in radiological changes and rapid clinical improvement. Irrespective of this, patient's serum interleukin 6 and aminotransferases remained elevated even after a month from treatment. CONCLUSIONS: An overlapping effect of hyperinflammation, hypoxic organ injury and drug-related toxicity warrants a long-term follow-up for COVID-19 survivors. In addition, residual IL-6 receptors blockage may mask new infections. A standardized approach to follow-up for COVID-19 survivors is urgently needed. Current and future research should also investigate the impact of experimental therapies on lung tissue healing and regeneration, as well as long-term treatment toxicities.