Table 1 Characteristics of patients and parameters on the day of the dual-energy computed tomography scan
All (N = 35) | Non-invasive (N = 12) | Invasive (N = 23) | p | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Age | 59 [55–64] | 58 [55–62] | 60 [53–67] | 0.694 |
Sex (male), n (%) | 30 | 10 | 20 | |
Weight (kg) | 80 [75–96] | 90 [85–96] | 80 [73–95] | 0.173 |
Body mass index (kg/m2) | 28 [25–31] | 28 [28–31] | 28 [24–32] | 0.521 |
Days since onset of symptoms | 19 [16–31] | 18 [16–19] | 25 [15–35] | 0.045* |
Days since first confirmed swab | 16 [9–22] | 12 [9–14] | 20 [11–32] | 0.026* |
Days since hospital admission | 13 [7–21] | 12 [8–13] | 19 [7–31] | 0.115 |
Days since ICU admission | 12 [3–21] | 12 [8–13] | 15 [2–31] | 0.161 |
Comorbidities | ||||
Charlson Comorbidity Index | 1 [1, 2] | 2 [1, 2] | 1 [1, 2] | 0.878 |
Hypertension, n (%) | 14 (40.0) | 6 (50.0) | 8 (34.8) | 0.477 |
Diabetes, n (%) | 6 (17.1) | 2 (16.7) | 4 (17.4) | > 0.999 |
History of pulmonary embolism, n (%) | 1 (2.9) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.3) | > 0.999 |
Chronic obstructive lung disease, n (%) | 3 (8.6) | 2 (16.7) | 1 (4.3) | 0.266 |
Chronic therapy | ||||
Calcium channel blockers, n (%) | 2 (5.7) | 1 (8.3) | 1 (4.3) | > 0.999 |
Angiotensin II receptor blockers, n (%) | 4 (11.4) | 3 (25.0) | 1 (4.3) | > 0.999 |
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, n (%) | 3 (8.6) | 2 (16.7) | 1 (4.3) | 0.239 |
Oral anticoagulants, n (%) | 2 (5.7) | 2 (16.7) | 0 (0.0) | 0.098 |
Antiplatelet therapy, n (%) | 5 (14.3) | 5 (41.7) | 0 (0.0) | 0.150 |
Steroids in the previous month, n (%) | 3 (8.6) | 2 (16.7) | 1 (4.3) | 0.239 |
Drugs received during ICU stay | ||||
Darunavir/ritonavir, n (%) | 5 (14.3) | 0 (0.0) | 5 (21.7) | 0.150 |
Hydroxychloroquine, n (%) | 24 (68.6) | 10 (83.3) | 14 (60.9) | 0.432 |
Remdesivir, n (%) | 1 (2.9) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.3) | > 0.999 |
Tocilizumab, n (%) | 12 (34.3) | 5 (41.7) | 7 (30.4) | 0.709 |
Methylprednisolone, n (%) | 15 (42.9) | 6 (50.0) | 9 (39.1) | 0.721 |
Anticoagulation regimen | ||||
None, n (%) | 1 (2.9) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.3) | 0.098 |
Enoxaparin, prophylactic dose, n (%) | 9 (25.7) | 6 (50.0) | 3 (13.0) | |
Enoxaparin, therapeutic dose, n (%) | 18 (51.4) | 5 (41.7) | 13 (56.5) | |
Sodium heparin (continuous infusion), n (%) | 7 (20.0) | 1 (8.3) | 6 (26.1) | |
Blood analyses | ||||
Interleukin-6 (ng/L) | 45 [8–153] | 18 [8–45] | 85 [10–739] | 0.115 |
D-dimer (mcg/L) | 1497 [990–4126] | 1024 [519–2792] | 1581 [1174–5358] | 0.023* |
Ferritin (mcg/L) | 921 [603–1888] | 733 [477–904] | 1399 [888–1929] | 0.016* |
C-reactive protein (mg/L) | 17 [9–89] | 10 [5–16] | 40 [13–107] | 0.017* |
Gas exchange | ||||
pHa | 7.43 [7.40–7.45] | 7.44 [7.42–7.47] | 7.43 [7.34–7.45] | 0.184 |
PaCO2 (mmHg) | 43 [39–53] | 39 [37–42] | 47 [42–55] | 0.001* |
PaO2 (mmHg) | 94 [77–125] | 108 [93–144] | 82 [71–97] | 0.023* |
PaO2/FiO2 (mmHg) | 179 [117–195] | 194 [186–250] | 139 [108–188] | 0.002* |
Bicarbonate (mEq/L) | 28 [25–31] | 27 [25–28] | 29 [25–33] | 0.071 |
Respiratory parameters | ||||
PEEP (cmH2O) | 10 [8–10] | 10 [8–10] | 10 [8–12] | 0.959 |
FiO2 (%) | 60 [50–70] | 60 [45–63] | 60 [50–70] | 0.172 |
Respiratory rate (min−1) | 19 [16–24] | 16 [14–20] | 20 [16–25] | 0.011* |
Tidal volume per predicted body weight (mL/kg) | 7.3 [5.5–7.8] | n.a | 7.3 [5.5–7.8] | n.a |
Driving pressure (cmH2O) | 16 [12–18] | n.a | 16 [12–18] | n.a |
Plateau pressure (cmH2O) | 25 [21–28] | n.a | 25 [21–28] | n.a |
Compliance (mL/cmH2O) | 34 [22–43] | n.a | 34 [22–43] | n.a |
Ventilatory ratio | 1.8 [1.4–2.4] | n.a | 1.8 [1.4–2.4] | n.a |