Real-world reports on outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection using higher oxygenation targets along with steroid therapy are lacking. We conducted a retrospective study of patients requiring oxygen support following targets of oxygenation >95% along with steroid therapy. Group 1 with oxygenation through a nasal cannula or Hudson mask, Group 2 oxygenation with venturi system, and Group 3 with high flow nasal oxygen, 35-50 litres; non-invasive ventilation; mechanical ventilation delivering. One hundred and eighteen patients (Group 1 74 patients, Group 2 15 patients, and Group 3 29 patients) were studied. The mean age was 55.7 years and most were male (n=77). One hundred and fourteen received dexamethasone or methylprednisolone. Most (88.3%) had at least one pre-existing chronic medical illness. Overall mortality was 22.8% (n=27). Group 3 had the highest mortality (75.9%) followed by Group 2 (26.7%) and Group 1 (1.35%). Our observation raises the query if a higher target of oxygenation for non-mechanical ventilated patients coupled with steroid therapy is beneficial.
Priyadarshini Varadaraj, Sowmya Gopalan, Aiswarya M. Nair, Lakshmi Marappa, Vaasanthi Rajendran, Viswanathan Pandurangan, Sudha Madhavan, Rajkumar Mani, Emmanuel Bhaskar
