Title:
Pneumothorax in Mechanically Ventilated Covid 19 Patients

Authors:
BAYRAKÇI Onur, ALNIKIZIL Havva, Turkey

Abstract:

Mechanical ventilator-associated pneumothorax is one of the most important undesirable fatal complications in intensive care. In our study 953 patients were retrospectively analyzed. 100 patients with positive Covid PCR test, with pneumonia and mechanical ventilation were included in the study in intensive care.69% of the patients were male and 31% female. The mean age was 68.6 (range:33-92 median:69). Male gender, history of chronic disease, age> 65 are associated with mortality. In Covid 19 pandemi period, an increase in the rates of pneumothorax associated with mechanical ventilation has been observed. The relationship between pneumothorax and mortality is known in the literature. Therefore, it is important to investigate the increase in pneumothorax rate and causes of death.  Mechanical ventilator-associated pneumothorax was detected in 12 patients. Ppeak> 35 cmH2O is associated with both pneumothorax and mortality. Pneumothorax is associated with mortality. Interstitial diffuse pneumonia is associated with ARDS, pneumothorax and mortality separately. In our study, general pneumothorax has been found 1.4% (n: 953) and mechanical ventilator related pneumothorax 4.1% (n: 288). Covid 19 is known to cause severe lung damage. It has been observed that especially patients with Covid 19 pneumonia interstitial involvement are much more susceptible to barotrauma.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijmshr.2021.5302