Intubation Timing as Determinant of Outcome in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Abstract

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection presents in many cases with pneumonia and respiratory failure. It is not clear whether the time of intubation and connection to mechanical ventilation (MV) in this condition is associated with an increase in mortality or represents the natural course of the disease.We conducted an observational, prospective, single-center study to describe the characteristics and outcomes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients with confirmed COVID-19 and treated with invasive MV to determine whether the time-to-intubation following hospital admission is associated with worse outcomes.Methods: We prospectively included consecutive patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and moderate to severe ARDS, admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and connected to MV between March 17 and July 31, 2020. We examined their general characteristics, ventilatory management, and clinical outcomes. Time of intubation was defined as the time from hospital admission to endotracheal intubation and was categorized as early (<72 hours) or late (≥72 hours). Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact, were used when appropriate. Uni and multivariate analyses between main outcome and explanatory variables were performed.Results: A total of 183 consecutive patients were included, 28% (51/183) were female, and their median age was 62 years [54-70]. One hundred (55%) patients were subjected to early and 83 (45%) to late intubation. Patients intubated after 72 hours were older and presented more comorbidities. Mortality was higher in the group of patients with late intubation (41% versus 21%; p= 0.002), a PaO2/FiO2 ratio <100 mmHg at admission (p= 0.029), and that were older than 60 years (p= 0.008).ConclusionsIn acute COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe ARDS, intubation after 72 hours following hospital admission, age >60 years-old and a PaO2/FiO2 ratio <100 at admission may appear to be associated with increased ICU mortality. Further studies are required to confirm our findings and establish the best timing for intubation in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU with respiratory failure.