Septic shock in patients admitted to intensive care unit with COVID-19 pneumonia

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine mortality rates and to evaluate clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with septic shock in intensive care unit (ICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of COVID-19 patients requiring ICU admission were retrospectively reviewed over a 3-month period. RESULTS: Forty patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU were screened. Two patients died within 24 h after ICU admission. After these patients were excluded, septic shock was detected in 11 (28%) of 38 patients during the 30-day follow-up period. Ten (91%) of the 11 patients with septic shock died in the ICU. Eight (72%) of the 11 patients had nosocomial infection during 30-day follow-up period. Six (54%) of 11 septic shock patients had positive culture results for bacterial pneumonia on the day of septic shock. The median time from symptom onset to septic shock was 14 (5–34) days. The median duration from ICU admission until septic shock was 8 (1–28) days. All of the patients with septic shock underwent invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 patients with septic shock have higher mortality rates, percentage of nosocomial infection, and IMV requirement.