Pneumothorax in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients in the Indian Subcontinent

To explore the incidence and risk factors, as well as mortality, in critically ill COVID-19 patients who developed pneumothorax (PTX) and/or pneumomediastinum (PNM).

A retrospective cohort study was undertaken to analyse data of all patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 disease who were either RTPCR positive or had a clinico-radiological diagnosis. The exposure group consisted of COVID-19 patients who presented with PTX/PNM, whereas the non-exposure group consisted of patients who did not develop PTX and/or PNM during the stay.

Incidence of PTX/PNM was observed to be 1.9% among critically ill COVID-19 patients. 94.4% (17/18) of patients in the PTX group received positive pressure ventilation (PPV); the majority of these patients were on non-invasive ventilation when they developed PTX/PNM; only one patient was receiving conventional oxygen therapy. COVID-19 patients who developed PTX/PNM had 2.7 times higher mortality. A mortality rate of 72.2% was observed in COVID-19 patients who developed PTX/PNM.

Development of PTX/PNM in critically ill COVID-19 patients is associated with more severe disease involvement, and institution of PPV is an additional risk factor. Significantly high mortality was observed following PTX/PNM in critically ill COVID-19 patients and is an independent marker of poor prognosis in COVID-19 disease.