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Therapeutic response to corticosteroids in a critically ill patient with COVID-19: A case report
Kaige Wang1, Fen Tan2, Rui Zhou2
1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu.
Introduction:
Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan in late 2019, controversy on the use of corticosteroids for COVID-19 has obtained increasing attention. We present 1 critically ill patient who had a rapid therapeutic response to moderate-dose corticosteroids.
Patient Concerns:
A 53-year-old critically ill woman from Wuhan suffered with COVID-19.
Diagnosis:
The chest computed tomography scan was suggestive of COVID-19. The diagnosis was confirmed by a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-CoV-2. The critically ill status was characterized by worsening dyspnea, progressing bilateral lung consolidation, and poor oxygenation (SiO2/FiO2:110 mm Hg).
Interventions:
The patient was treated with a moderate dose of intravenous corticosteroids and high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy.
Outcomes:
After the initiation of corticosteroids, the patient rapidly improved over the following 6 days. Serial chest computed tomography scans showed good absorption of the consolidations. The patient was discharged on Day 17 of hospitalization without obvious adverse effects.
Conclusions:
Early use of moderate-dose corticosteroids over a short period may enhance recovery from COVID-19 in critically ill patients.
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