Primary spontaneous pneumothorax not associated with invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Presentation of 2 cases

ABSTRACT

As the current SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic progresses, scientific evidence of complications in the evolution of the disease is increasing. Pneumothorax is a common complication of acute respiratory distress syndrome, which significantly increases the mortality of patients. However, in COVID-19 to date there are few articles that report this complication. Below are two cases of patients with pneumonia complicated by COVID-19 with primary spontaneous pneumothorax without prior hospitalization. The first patient, a 63-year-old woman with hypertension, hypothyroidism and tobacco addiction, developed pneumonia complicated by COVID-19 with pneumothorax, recovered progressively and was discharged 20 days after admission to the unit. The second patient, a 44-year-old man with obesity, developed pneumonia complicated by COVID-19 with pneumothorax, which during his stay progressed to septic shock and he died. Timely identification of possible complications due to COVID-19 is crucial for reducing mortality, and therefore they should be suspected in all types of patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia on their first admission to health centres. © 2021