Introduction:

coronavirus infection is an emerging pathology, there are few data regarding ventilatory management. Different pulmonary phenotypes make the MV process difficult. This encouraged us to analyze our COVID-19 patients with MV.

Material and methods:

all patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia who were admitted ventilated to our unit through March to June 2020 were included. Demographics, severity scores, ventilatory settings, arterial gases, lung mechanics, and outcomes are analyzed. The patients who received prone position (PP) are described. Patients were categorized according to the median static compliance (Cst) and if it was ≤ 20, > 20 a ≤ 30 y > 30 in day 1.

Results:

118 patients, the mean age was 56.4 ± 1.3, 76.4% males. APACHE II and SOFA on admission: 13.6 ± 0.5 and 8.3 ± 0.2. 47.5% of the patients required PP. The MV, ICU and hospital stay were 13.5 ± 0.9; 16.8 ± 0.9 and 23.8 ± 1.5 days. The in-hospital mortality of PP and supine patients was 32.1 and 11.3%, p = 0.005. Overall mortality 21.2%. Mortality of patients with Cst ≤ 20 mL/cmH2O was 44.4%.

Conclusion:

a significant percentage require early PP to overcome hypoxemia and although most respond, it does not ensure a good hospital outcome. The patients with compliance ≤ 20ml/ cmH2O have higher mortality.