Objectives: to assess the impact of non-invasive respiratory therapies in critically ill patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
Methods: retrospective cohort study of COVID-19 hospitalized patients who required non-invasive respiratory support. The impact of these treatments was evaluated in three groups of patients: pre-intensive care patients, discharged patients from critical care unit (CCU) and non-CCU admitted patients. The impact was assessed 30 days after completing respiratory therapy and was categorized as hospital discharge, transfer to a rehabilitation center, admission to the UCC and deceased.
Results: a total of 80 patients were included (average age: 65.9 ± 11.9; men = 45 [56.3%]). 29 (36.3%) patients received BIPAP, 35 (43.8%) CPAP and 27 (33.4%) high-oxygen nasal cannula. Regarding the groups for the indication of respiratory treatment, 37 (46.3%) patients corresponded to the pre-intensive care patients, 24 (30%) were discharged patients from the CCU and 19 (23.8%) to the non-CCU admitted group. In the pre-intensive care, admission to a CCU was avoided in 19 (52.8%) patients and, on the other hand, 14 (38.9%) patients finally were admitted in a CCU. In the group of discharged patients from the UCC 19 (82.6%) patients showed a favorable course of disease. Only 3 (13%) patients were admitted in a UCC or died. Finally, in the group of non-CCU admitted, 6 (31.3%) improved after the use of respiratory therapy and 13 (68.4%) were deceased.
Conclusions: respiratory therapies have a favorable impact on critically ill patients affected by COVID-19, both in patients with an indication for admission in the CCU, in those who are discharged from the CCUs and in those who do not have criteria for admission in these units.
High-flow nasal cannulae for respiratory support in adult intensive care patients
