COVID-19 ARDS: A Multispecialty Assessment of Challenges in Care, Review of Research, and Recommendations

Survival analysis of COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care for acute respiratory distress syndrome: An observational retrospective study

Background/Aim

This study analyzed clinical factors impacting the survival of COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress síndrome, or ARDS (CARDS) to ICU compared to non-COVID-19 ARDS patients.

Methods

Clinical variables from 1,008 CARDS cases and 332 ARDS cases were computed using learning algorithms. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models with the enter method evaluated risk factors and ICU mortality relationships. The survival analysis was completed with Kaplan-Meier and the log-rank tests.

Results

A Random Forest model revealed that mechanical ventilation-related factors, oxygenation, blood pH, superinfection, shock, and ICU length of stay have the greatest effects on ICU survival. According to a multivariate Cox model, reintubation and a high-flow nasal cannula were essential for survival in CARDS patients during the ICU stay. The length of stay in the ICU diminishes in patients older than 45 years, regardless of the source of ARDS.

Conclusion

This study gives recommendations for the respiratory care of ARDS in COVID-19 patients.

Pediatric Presentations of COVID-19 and Pertinent Radiologic Findings

Since the 2019 worldwide pandemic, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 responsible for COVID-19 disease, not only had global economic repercussions but millions of individuals health were also put at risk. Like any other respiratory illness, COVID-19 has a variety of presentations and radiological features. While COVID-19 infections in the pediatric population generally present with better prognosis and lower mortality rates when compared to those of adults, in the vulnerable populations however, severe presentations are often more frequent and can have catastrophic consequences. This paper will specifically address pediatric presentations of COVID-19 including those suffering from multisystem inflammation, along with their radiologic manifestations and image findings.

Cytokine Storm in COVID-19: Insight into Pathological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Benefits of Chinese Herbal Medicines

Cytokine storm (CS) is the main driver of SARS-CoV-2-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). The pathological mechanisms of CS are quite complex and involve multiple critical molecular targets that turn self-limited and mild COVID-19 into a severe and life-threatening concern. At present, vaccines are strongly recommended as safe and effective treatments for preventing serious illness or death from COVID-19. However, effective treatment options are still lacking for people who are at the most risk or hospitalized with severe disease. Chinese herbal medicines have been shown to improve the clinical outcomes of mild to severe COVID-19 as an adjunct therapy, particular preventing the development of mild to severe ARDS. This review illustrates in detail the pathogenesis of CS-involved ARDS and its associated key molecular targets, cytokines and signalling pathways. The therapeutic targets were identified particularly in relation to the turning points of the development of COVID-19, from mild symptoms to severe ARDS. Preclinical and clinical studies were reviewed for the effects of Chinese herbal medicines together with conventional therapies in reducing ARDS symptoms and addressing critical therapeutic targets associated with CS. Multiple herbal formulations, herbal extracts and single bioactive phytochemicals with or without conventional therapies demonstrated strong anti-CS effects through multiple mechanisms. However, evidence from larger, well-designed clinical trials is lacking and their detailed mechanisms of action are yet to be well elucidated. More research is warranted to further evaluate the therapeutic value of Chinese herbal medicine for CS in COVID-19-induced ARDS.

Efficacy and Safety of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients under Mechanical Ventilation with COVID-19 and Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Health Technology Assessment

We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients under mechanical ventilation with COVID-19 and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A systematic review of the literature published in PubMed, Cochrane Library and LILACS databases, was performed. A manual search was also conducted using the reference lists of the studies included in the full-text assessment, as well as a grey-literature search on Google. Additionally, websites of state institutions and organizations developing clinical practice guidelines and health technology assessments were reviewed. The ClinicalTrials.gov website was screened along with the websites of the International Clinical Trial Registry Platform and the National Registry of Health Research Projects of the Peruvian National Institute of Health. No restrictions were applied in terms of language, time, or country. A total of 13 documents were assessed, which included 7 clinical practice guidelines, 3 health technology assessments, 1 systematic review, 1 randomized clinical trial, and 1 observational study. A critical appraisal was conducted for each document. After this, we considered that the currently available evidence is insufficient for a conclusion supporting the use of ECMO in patients under mechanical ventilation with severe ARDS associated to COVID-19 in terms of mortality, safety, and quality of life.