| Title: | Characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients requiring non-invasive ventilation for management of COVID-19 pneumonia |
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| Author(s): | F O'Hannigan D O'Flaherty C McGeoghegan B Cushen |
| Institution: | Beaumont Hospital |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | COVID 19 |
| Abstract: | Non-invasive ventilation(NIV) for the management of COVID-19 induced hypoxaemic acute respiratory failure was commonly employed during the pandemic. The characteristics of patients requiring NIV on a specialist respiratory unit and clinical outcomes were retrospectively examined. The medical notes of ninety-three patients were reviewed. The mean age was 68 (14) years. The majority (60%) were male and 84% were overweight or obese. Multimorbidity was common (75%). All patients had a ceiling of care established; 57% for full escalation of care including intubation and 43% for ward-level care. Median time to NIV initiation was 2 days. NIV continued for >72 hours in 70% of patients. Overall 58% of patients recovered to discharge. Of those who survived, the median length of hospital stay was 15.5 (2-60) days. Over 75% of patients for full escalation survived, 54% required intubation. Intubated patients had more pronounced hypoxaemia at hospital admission and prevalence of co-morbidity was greater. NIV can be used effectively to manage respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia in the appropriate patient and setting. Additionally patients can successfully tolerate a prolonged duration of therapy. Identification of those most at-risk and early intensivist involvement is important to ensure timely escalation of treatment if required. |
