Nationwide Incidence and Outcomes of Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Requiring Intensive Care in Iceland.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the nationwide demographics and hospital mortality of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection requiring admission to the ICU for coronavirus disease 2019 in Iceland. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: All ICUs in Iceland (Landspitali University Hospital and Akureyri Regional Hospital). PATIENTS: All patients admitted to the ICU for management of coronavirus disease 2019 between March 14, 2020, and April 13, 2020, with follow-up through May 5, 2020. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 27 patients were admitted to the ICU for coronavirus disease 2019 out of 1,788 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positive cases, rendering an overall admission ratio of 1.5% (95% CI, 1.0-2.2%). The population rate of ICU admission for coronavirus disease 2019 was 7.4 (95% CI, 4.9-10.8) admissions per 100,000 individuals. The hospital mortality of patients admitted to the ICU was 15% (95% CI, 4-34%), and the mortality of patients receiving mechanical ventilation was 19% (95% CI, 4-46%). CONCLUSIONS: We report a lower overall ratio of ICU admissions for coronavirus disease 2019 among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positive patients and a lower hospital mortality for patients treated in the ICU for coronavirus disease 2019 compared with initial reports from Italy and China. Our results could be explained by the early adoption of widespread testing and a successful national response to the pandemic.

The potential for organ donation in Iceland: A nationwide study of deaths in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: The deceased organ donation rate in Iceland has been low compared with other Western countries. The aim of this study was to explore the potential for organ donation after brain death in Iceland. METHODS: Observational cohort study of patients with catastrophic brain injury who died in intensive care units (ICUs) at hospitals in Iceland in 2003-2016. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify potential donors (PDs), using the WHO Critical Pathway for Deceased Donation. Trends in annual incidence of PDs, conversion to actual donors, and family refusals were assessed. RESULTS: Among 1537 patients who died in the ICU, 125 (8.1%) were identified as PDs. Of 103 PDs who were declared brain dead, consent for organ donation was pursued in 84 cases and granted in 63. Fifty-six became actual donors. The annual donation rate averaged 13 per million population (pmp), but rose abruptly in the final 2 years to 36 and 27 pmp, respectively. This was paralleled by an increase in annual incidence of PDs from an average of 28 pmp to 54 and 42 pmp, respectively. The donor conversion rate increased during the study period (P = .026). Twenty-three PDs (18%) were not pursued without an apparent reason. CONCLUSIONS: The donation rate increased markedly in the last 2 years of the study period after remaining low for more than a decade. This change can largely be explained by a high incidence of PDs and a low family refusal rate. Missed donation opportunities suggest a potential to maintain a high donation rate in the future.