Some clinical observations shared w me from an intensivist in Washington State caring for #COVID19 patients:
1. Patients are mostly elderly, but they’re seeing critically ill 20-somethings, too.
1. Patients are mostly elderly, but they’re seeing critically ill 20-somethings, too.
2. 80% of patients are mildly ill, the rest require hospitalization. About 6-8% are critically ill. Of hospitalized patients, 1/3 require only nasal oxygen, 1/3 require face mask or non-rebreather, 1/3 require intubation.
3. Respiratory failure can be rapid. Intubate early.
3. Respiratory failure can be rapid. Intubate early.
4. Liver and kidney injury tends to be mild.
5. In the end, many deaths occurring because of heart failure or cardiac arrest. Some patients with normal ejection fractions are developing fulminant heart failure within days.
5. In the end, many deaths occurring because of heart failure or cardiac arrest. Some patients with normal ejection fractions are developing fulminant heart failure within days.
