Sequelae of COVID-19 Pneumonia: Our Experience in High Dependence Unit

ABSTRACT

Background: SARS COVID-19 infection has brought about myriad presentations that could be disease-related, or iatrogenic. Aim: To study the occurrence of complications or sequel arising after COVID-19 infection. Materials and methods: Study period 15th August to 16th October 2020. Inclusion criteria All adult patients shifted from COVID isolation units and who are critically ill. Exclusion criteria Pediatric patients <14 years. Patients with negative RTPCR at the time of admission. COVID-19 negative pneumonia. Observation Respiratory and neurological sequelae are most commonly observed. Pulmonary fibrosis presented as most respiratory sequelae with an incidence of 7.05% (pneumothorax in patients with spontaneous respiration or invasive ventilation. Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema are more found in invasive mechanical ventilation patients. Among neurological complications, delirium was seen in as many as 7.05% of patients. AIDP/GBS (2.35%) are not uncommon among neurological sequelae. Bleeding complication observed in 3.37% of the ICU population which includes intracranial hemorrhage, haematuria, intra-abdominal haematoma. Thromboembolic complication observed in 1.17% ICU population deep vein thrombosis being most common. Results: Pulmonary fibrosis is the most common sequelae in COVID-19 disease. This is the most common cause leading to pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum or surgical emphysema. Neurology symptoms are the most common symptom. Delirium being the most common form of presentation. COVID-19 being a prothrombotic disease we also observed some thromboembolic disease most common being DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Conclusion: COVID-19 involves almost each and every system of the body. This subsequently gives rise to some sequelae or complication directly from viral etiology or related to complication. The exact reasons are yet to be found out.