Background COVID-19 associated critical illness characterized by rapidly evolving acute respiratory failure (ARF) can develop, especially on the grounds of hyperinflammation. Aim and methods A case-series of 61 patients admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) between August 12 and September 12, 2020 with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and rapidly evolving ARF requiring oxygen support therapy and/or mechanical ventilation was retrospectively analyzed. We examined whether intravenous administration of tocilizumab, a monoclonal interleukin-6 receptor antibody, was associated with improved outcome. All patients received empiric antivirals, dexamethasone 6 mg/day for 7 days, antibiotics, and prophylactic anticoagulation. Tocilizumab was administered at a dosage of 8 mg/kg [two consecutive intravenous infusions 12 h apart]. Outcome measures such as mortality on day-14, ICU length of stay, and rate of nosocomial acquired bacterial infections were also analyzed. Results: Patients were males (88.2%) aged 51 [interquartile range (IQR): 42.5–58.75)], with admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) 4 score of 53 (IQR: 37.75–72.5), and had more than one comorbidity (62.3%). On admission, twenty nine patients (47.5%) were mechanically ventilated, and thirty two patients (52.5%) were receiving oxygen therapy. No serious adverse effects due to tocilizumab therapy were recorded. However, twelve patients (19.6%) developed nosocomial acquired infections. ICU length of stay was 13 (IQR: 9–17) days, and mortality on day-14 was 24.6%. Six patients were shifted to other hospitals but were followed-up. The overall mortality on day-30 was 31.1%. Non-mechanically ventilated patients had higher survival rates compared to mechanically ventilated patients although results were not significant [hazards ratio = 2.6 (95% confidence intervals: 0.9–7.7), p = 0.08]. Tocilizumab did not affect the mortality of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Conclusion Tocilizumab could be an adjunct safe therapy in rapidly evolving COVID-19 pneumonia and associated critical illness.
Background: Corona virus disease is caused by the enveloped, single stranded RNA virus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) becoming the deadliest disease of the century. Its global outbreak has led researchers to develop drugs or vaccines to prevent the spread of the disease. Favipiravir is an approved orally administered antiviral drug that selectively inhibits RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, used off-label to treat COVID-19. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of this drug for severe COVID-19 infection. Methods: This was an observational retrospective study, carried out at the ICU of King Saud Medical City (KSMC) from June 2020 to August 2020. Including a total of one thousand six hundred and ninety-nine patients (n=1699). Categorized into a treatment group (193 patients) who received Favipiravir along with standard care, and non-treatment group (1506 patients) who received standard care only. Results: ICU all-cause mortality was similar in both groups i.e., (Treated group 38.3% Vs Untreated group 39.4%, 95% CI of difference: -6.6% to +8.4%; p = 0.8). The subgroup analysis of survivors as compared to deceased in the treatment group showed that survivors had significantly lower age, international normalising ratio (INR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine. The mean ICU length of stay (LOS) was shorter for survivors compared to deceased (11.2± 8.03 Vs 16.7±9.8 days respectively), while hospital LOS was almost similar between the two groups. Advanced age (OR 1.03 [95% CI: 1.01–1.06]; p=0.004), higher INR and BUN were significantly associated with increased odds of mortality. Comparison of lab investigations at day 1 and day 10 in the treatment group (regardless of outcome) showed that there was a significant increase in Alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALK), and Bilirubin, while an insignificant trend of increase in Aspartate transaminase (AST) and creatinine was recorded. Conclusion: In this study, Favipiravir showed better therapeutic responses in patients with severe COVID-19 infection, in terms of average duration of stay in the intensive care unit and was well tolerated in the younger age, but showed no mortality benefit. However, elevated levels of inflammatory markers, including increased ALT, AST, BUN, bilirubin, and creatinine, needs to be carefully examined.
Background: Colistin is an effective treatment option, recommended for carbapenem resistant gram-negative bacilli (CR-GNB) in critically ill patients. Due to high nephrotoxicity, dose management of Colistin is a tough decision to make. At standard dosage the efficacy of Colistin is not well defined. Consequently, strategies involving higher dosages were suggested. Objective: To evaluate the high dose of Colistin as non-inferior to standard dose in the treatment of CR-GNB in critically ill patients. Study Design: Retrospective comparative study Place and Duration of Study: Intensive Care Unit, King Saud Medical City Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2017. Methodology: One hundred and ninety two patients that met the inclusion criteria from all participants were further divided into two groups. Group H (High dose) given the high dose of Colistin (9 million units intravenously (IV) loading dose, and then 9 million units/day in 2 or three divided doses) whereas group S was administered with standard dose (no loading dose, 6 million units/day). The primary endpoint of the study was the assessment of nephrotoxicity after the start of Colistin and secondary endpoints were the mortality within 14 days of commencing Colistin along with clinical effects and microbial clearance upon completion of treatment. Results: The results of the study established the non-inferiority of high dose of Colistin for the renal safety and also showed significant improvement in microbial clearance and length of ICU stay as compared to the standard dose. The other secondary end points such as mortality (p = 0.99), length of hospital stay (p = 0.39), and global improvement (p value of 0.06) revealed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The high dose of Colistin for the treatment of carbapenem resistance gram negative bacilli (CRGNB) was as safe as the standard dose for renal safety. But we also found that it also accelerates microbial clearance and reduces the time spent in the intensive care unit. Key words: Colistin, Colestimethate sodium, Gram negative bacteraemia, Sepsis, Multi-drug resistant organisms, Acute kidney injury
Background: COVID-19 infection is associated with high mortality, and despite extensive studying the scientific society is still working to find a definitive treatment. Some experts postulated a beneficial role of Deferoxamine. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of COVID-19 adult patients admitted to the ICU who received deferoxamine to those who received standard of care. Methods: Prospective observational cohort study, in the ICU of a tertiary referral hospital in Saudi Arabia to compare all-cause hospital mortality between COVID-19 patients who received deferoxamine and standard of care. Results: A total of 205 patients were enrolled, with an average age of 50.1±14.3, 150 patients received standard of care only, and 55 patients received deferoxamine additionally. Hospital mortality was lower in deferoxamine group (25.5 vs. 40.7%, 95% CI=1.3–29.2%; P=0.045). Clinical status score upon discharge was lower in deferoxamine group (3.6±4.3 vs. 6.2±4, 95% CI: 1.4–3.9; P<0.001), as was the difference between discharge score and admission score (indicating clinical improvement). More patients admitted with mechanical ventilation were successfully extubated in the deferoxamine group (61.5 vs. 14.3%, 95% CI: 15–73%; P=0.001), with a higher median ventilator-free days. There were no differences between groups in adverse events. Deferoxamine group was associated with hospital mortality [odds ratio=0.46 (95% CI: 0.22–0.95); P=0.04]. Conclusions: Deferoxamine may have mortality and clinical improvement benefits in COVID-19 adults admitted to ICU. Further powered and controlled studies are required.
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