[Linear power and mortality in COVID-19 respiratory difficulty syndrome].

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to COVID-19 crowded intensive care units in the world with high mortality. Mechanical ventilation was fundamental in the treatment; however, the evidence of ventilatory markers associated with mortality is not entirely clear. In 2021 it was described the linear power, which was superior to other markers. At the moment its possible utility in patients with ARDS due to COVID-19 has not been described.

Objective: To evaluate linear power as a risk factor for mortality in patients with ARDS due to COVID-19 in intensive care.

Material and methods: Retrospective cohort study in patients admitted to intensive care with ARDS secondary to COVID-19. Linear power was calculated for patients who died and patients who survived in intensive care. Mann-Whitney U test and multivariable Cox regression (hazard ratio [HR] with 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]) were performed.

Results: 60 patients were studied with a mortality of 43.3%. Those who died had a higher linear power (89.5 vs. 78, p = 0.031) and the best cut-off point was 84 cmH2O/rpm (AUC 0.663, p = 0.031, LR 2.02); in addition, those with linear power < 84 (p = 0.050) had a better cumulative survival.

Conclusions: Linear power is a possible risk factor for mortality in patients with ARDS secondary to COVID-19 in intensive care.