[Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in the intensive care unit]

Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) is an emerging zoonosis in Argentina. The aim of this study was to highlight the clinical features and identify variables that could correlate with worse evolution in HCPS, in the intensive care unit (ICU).

A total of 33 adult patients with confirmed HCPS, admitted to the ICU, from hospital F. J. Muñiz of the city of Buenos Aires were included, admitted during the period 1999-2024.

Age was 32 [22-43) years; 72.7% (24/33) were men. The prodromal phase was 6 [4.7-7] days. The incubation period lasted 20.5 [11.5-31.5] days. 100% (33/33) of patients presented radiological images with bilateral interstitial lung involvement. A 93.9% (31/33) had neutrophilia, 96.9% (32/33) thrombocytopenia and lactate dehydrogenase in 100% (33/33). 81.8% (27/33) required respiratory support and 48.5% (16/33) received vasopressors; antibiotics and corticosteroids were administered to 96.9% (32/33) and 90.9% (30/33) of patients, respectively. When comparing deceased versus non-deceased patients, greater respiratory compromise was observed (PaO2FiO2: 109 [78-136] vs. 240 [180-300]); 100% of the deceased required mechanical ventilation and vasopressors, while only 34.6% (9/26) of the non-deceased did; APACHE II (20 [17.5-23] vs. 12 [11-15.5]) and SOFA (10 [9.5-11] vs. 5.5 [5-6]) showed higher scores in the deceased patients. Case fatality rate was 21.2% (7/33).

It is suggested that early identification of the SCPH diagnosis and severity indicators that could predict a higher risk of mortality.