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Review
. 2022 Jun;36(2):365-377.
doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2022.02.005. Epub 2022 Feb 16.

COVID-19 in the Critically Ill Patient

Taison D Bell  1
Affiliations
Review

COVID-19 in the Critically Ill Patient

Taison D Bell. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant mortality in the United States with more than 800,000 deaths in 2020 and 2021. The proportion of patients with COVID-19 who develop severe disease varies but is decreasing over time with growing population immunity and improved therapeutic options. Patients who are 65 years and older represent the largest proportion of deaths from COVID-19. Additional risk factors include immunosuppression and chronic medical conditions. Vaccination dramatically reduces the risk of severe COVID-19. Although critical illness from COVID-19 is mostly driven by respiratory disease, critical illness can manifest in several ways and affect several organ systems.

Keywords: ARDS; Acute respiratory distress syndrome; COVID; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Critical care; Critically ill; SARS-CoV-2.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The author has nothing to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Measuring plateau pressure for mechanical ventilation.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Goals of mechanical ventilation.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Respiratory support in patients with COVID-19.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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