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Surviving 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia: A successful critical case report
Lei Zou1, Jiakui Sun1, Ying Liu1
1Department of Critical Care Medicine, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
Insights
This case study details the successful treatment of a critical Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient. Key interventions included mechanical ventilation, prone positioning, and managing acute cor pulmonale to support cardiorespiratory function.
Area of Science:
- Critical care medicine
- Infectious diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a novel coronavirus, emerged as a global public health threat.
- Early management of severe COVID-19 cases is crucial for patient outcomes.
- Understanding treatment strategies for critical COVID-19 is essential for global health preparedness.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old male with COVID-19 presented with rapidly progressing pulmonary lesions and moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
- Initial lung-protective ventilation and prone positioning did not sufficiently improve oxygenation (PaO2/FiO2 ratio).
- The patient developed acute cor pulmonale (ACP) secondary to ARDS, requiring specific medical intervention.
Findings:
- A combination of mechanical ventilation, prolonged prone positioning, and targeted treatment for ACP (dobutamine and diuretics) led to improved oxygenation.
- The PaO2/FiO2 ratio increased significantly after ACP treatment, facilitating successful extubation.
- High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy was employed post-extubation to prevent reintubation and support recovery.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of comprehensive organ function support, particularly cardiorespiratory support, in managing critical COVID-19.
- Integrated treatment approaches addressing complications like ACP are vital for improving survival rates in severe COVID-19.
- Experience sharing from critical cases can inform and refine clinical management protocols for future COVID-19 patients.
Background:
. An outbreak of acute respiratory illness was proved to be infected by a novel coronavirus, officially named Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) from World Health Organization (WHO), was confirmed first in Wuhan, China, and has become endemic worldwide, which was a serious threaten to public health all over the world. Herein, we reported a successful critical case of COVID-19 and shared our experience of treatment, which would do a favor for other COVID-19 patients.
Case Summary:
. A 65-year-old man, Wuhan citizen, was infected by COVID-19, and his pulmonary lesions progressed quickly in five days. On admission to Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, China, the immediate arterial blood gas(ABG) analysis showed the PaO2/FiO2(P/F) ratio was 134.4mmHg, moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) was diagnosed. Emergency tracheal intubation was performed, and the initial ventilator mode and parameters were set up based on the lung-protective ventilation strategy, but the P/F ratio could not be improved, and then the prone position ventilation was carried out for four consecutive days, as long as 16 hours every day, the P/F ratio rose to 180mmHg approximately, which still did not reach to the standard of extubation. And then we found that it was complicated with acute cor pulmonale(ACP) by ultrasound examination, dobutamine and diuretic were used for the treatment of ACP caused by ARDS successfully, and the P/F ratio went up to about 250mmHg. Seven days later after admission, the endotracheal intubation was successfully removed, after extubation, High-Flow nasal cannula(HFNC) oxygen therapy was used as a sequential strategy to prevent reintubation. Ultimately, he was discharged on day 34 after admission.
Conclusion:
. Our case presented the treatment process of a critical COVID-19. Effective therapy was crucial to heal COVID-19, and organ function support therapy, especially the cardiorespiratory function support therapy, was the core of treatment.
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