Atteintes pulmonaires liées à la COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2, a newly identified β-coronavirus, is the pathogen responsible for Covid-19 (CoronaVIrus Disease). Systemic immune over activation due to SARS-CoV-2 infection causes the cytokine storm, with severe epithelial lung damage and pulmonary intravascular coagulopathy. Clinical symptoms are heterogeneous, ranging from mild upper respiratory symptoms to even acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Non-invasive ventilation and high-flow nasal oxygen therapy effectively treat more than half of severe patients without risk to caregivers. Dexamethasone (6 mg/d for 10 days) is the only currently validated treatment. The increased thrombotic risk justifies preventive or even curative anticoagulation depending on the case.