A Fourteen-day Experience with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): An Iranian Treatment Protocol

Abstract

COVID-19 is currently causing concern in the medical community as the virus is spreadingaround the world. It has a heavy global burden, particularly in low-income countries. The clinicalspectrum of COVID-19 pneumonia ranges from mild to critically ill cases and Acute RespiratoryDistress Syndrome. An expert panel was held and an internal protocol was developed to managethe COVID-19 induced ARDS according to WHO recommendations and NIH guidelines.Different therapeutic regimens were employed on this protocol based on the ARDS severity andthe patients' special characteristics. The mortality rate, the rate of survivors, and non-survivorswere reported. Of the 231 suspected cases of COVID-19 admitted to the hospital during twoweeks, 72 patients were admitted to ICU with diagnosis confirmed by RT-PCR. In total, mortalityin the ICU was 25% (n = 18) among ARDS patients over two weeks. COVID-19 induced ARDSis a major concern. The rapid progression of ARDS needs specific protocol based on patients'characteristics and rapid action.