Impact of Mechanical Ventilation and Renal Replacement Therapy on Clinical Outcomes among Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Background: Poor clinical outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 occur due to many factors that require elucidation. The objective of this study was to describe the outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19 and identify the risk factors for mortality. Materials and Methods: The study was a single-centered cross-sectional, observational study involving COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) of a tertiary care hospital in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The patients were admitted between 1 March and 31 December 2020. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for mortality. Results: Of 107 patients admitted, 98 (91.6%) were ≥40 years old and 84 (78.5%) were males. The mean oxygen saturation at admission was 79.6 ± 12.6%, the duration of ICU stay was 13.0 ± 11.6 days, and 65 (60.7%) of the patients received mechanical ventilation. Major comorbidities included hypertension (57%), diabetes (56%), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (15.5%). The overall mortality rate was 51.4%; this was higher in patients who received mechanical ventilation (60 vs. 38.1%; p = 0.03) and those with co-morbid hypertension (60.7 vs. 39.1%; p = 0.03). Risk factors for mortality were: need for mechanical ventilation agent of record adjusted Odds ratio (aOR) 4.4 (1.6–12.6), co-morbid hypertension aOR 5.8 (1.6–21.1), having CKD aOR 5.4 (1.2–25.6) and receiving renal replacement therapy aOR 4.3 (1.4–13.0). Conclusions: The use of mechanical ventilation or renal replacement therapy among critically ill COVID-19 patients could potentially predict worse outcomes. Patients with existing hypertension or CKD may carry a higher mortality risk.