Mortality Associated With Intubation and Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with COVID-19

ObjectiveThe need for critical care, hemodynamic support, renal replacement therapy, and mechanical ventilation have emerged as key features of the SARS-nCoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. The primary aim of this study was to determine the in-hospital mortality rate of mechanically ventilated patients. We also sought to determine the risk of in-hospital mortality by age, gender, race, ethnicity, and body mass index. MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study to determine the mortality rate among inpatient adults with COVID-19 on mechanical ventilation in the Nuvance Health system between March 1, 2020 and July 17, 2020. Patients were included if they were 18 years or older, had a laboratory confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, were admitted to hospitals within the Nuvance Health network (7 hospitals), and were on mechanical ventilation at any time during their inpatient stay. ResultsOverall mortality in our cohort of 304 patients was 53.3%. Multivariable logistic regression including age, gender, race, ethnicity, and BMI demonstrated patients over 71 years old had greater risk of mortality compared to patients ages 61-70, and females had half the risk compared to males. There was no significant difference in risk of mortality given race, ethnicity, or BMI. ConclusionsIn adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection requiring mechanical ventilation and intensive care, advanced age (>71 years old) and male gender are associated with increased risk of mortality. This information contributes to a collective body of evidence to support ongoing planning and decision-making among clinicians and for directed infection prevention programming.