Steroid and Anticoagulant Therapy in covid19

Challenges in Steroid and Anticoagulant Therapy in Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Prospective Study

As COVID-19 has neither standard treatment protocol nor guidelines, there are many treatment protocols foranti-inflammatory corticosteroids and anti-coagulations for severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients. This study aimed to assess the most suitable modality in this high-risk group.

Methods: A prospective, experimental study design was adopted, that included 123 severe COVID-19 pneumonia patientsadmitted at Assiut UniversityHospital from April 10th, 2020, to September10th, 2020. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to a combined corticosteroid and anticoagulants therapy protocols. Group A included 32 patients, group B included 45 patients, and group C included 46 patients. Assessment of cases was conducted according to the treatment type and duration, weaning duration from oxygen therapy, length of hospital and ICU stay, and complications during treatment.Three months follow up after discharge was performed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• respiratory distress [respiratory rate (RR) >30 breaths/min at rest], mean oxygen saturation ≤93%,ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) ≤300 mmHg,>50% lung involvement on imaging within 24 to 48 hours of admission

Exclusion Criteria:

• pnumonia not caused by covid19