A Comparative Study on the Outcomes of Mechanically Ventilated COVID-19 vs Non-COVID-19 Patients with Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure

BACKGROUND: Due to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been a surge of patients requiring mechanical ventilation over a short period of time. The morbidity and mortality outcome in these patients have been variably reported in the published literature. Comparative analyses of ventilated COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients during the same time period have been lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective data for each mechanically ventilated patient was collected from both COVID-19 and non-COVID ICU for a period of 8 months. Their demographic details and disease severity scores were included. Risk-adjusted outcomes across two groups were analyzed using multivariable regression methods. RESULTS: Crude ICU and hospital mortality were similar in COVID-19- and non-COVID-19 ventilated groups (43.8 vs 40% and 43.8 vs 41.1%, respectively; p >0.05). After risk adjustment for the severity of illness by APACHE IV, no significant differences were observed in ICU mortality (OR 1.498; 95% CI 0.669–3.327; p =0.328) and hospital mortality (OR 1.574; 95% CI 0.707–3.504; p =0.267). However, mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients had increased ICU stay (OR 6.261; 95% CI 3.778–8.744; p <0.001) as well as prolonged ventilatory support (OR 4.358; 95% CI 2.910–7.424; p <0.001) when compared to non-COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION: In mechanically ventilated patients, no significant differences in terms of mortality were noted between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. Mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients had longer ICU stay and more number of days on ventilation. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Todi S, Ghosh S. A Comparative Study on the Outcomes of Mechanically Ventilated COVID-19 vs Non-COVID-19 Patients with Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(12):1377–1381.