Comparative Study of Hematological Parameters of Covid Positive Patients In ICU Requiring Oxygen With or Without Ventilatory Support

Background and aims:The ongoing Covid pandemic has burdened the medical system, more so due to the limited availability of ventilators. Our study aims at identifying the role of hematological markers in the risk stratification and the need for ventilator support among ICU admitted COVID-19 patients. Method(s): A single centre prospective study was conducted on 100 Covid positive patients admitted in the ICU to determine association between the haematological markers such as Hb, Platelet count, Total and Differential leukocyte count, CRP, AST, ALT, LDH, Ferritin and D-Dimer with the need for oxygen therapy with or without invasive ventilatory support. Comparative analysis was performed between the 2 groups. Result(s): Neutrophilia, a mean of 76.7% among those ventilated and 71.6% among those non ventilated (p value 0.002;highly significant) and Lymphocytopenia (p value 0.004) with a mean of 14% and 18.6% respectively was noted. Hemoglobin levels were lower in ventilated (mean 11.6g/dl) as against those non ventilated (mean 12.58%) p value 0.046 which was significant. D-dimer was increased in COVID-19 patients;mean 5380 ng/ml in ventilated patients and mean 949ng/ml in those non ventilated (P < 0.001 highly significant). Elevated D-dimer and presence of diabetes correlated with increased chances of mechanical ventilation, while higher hemoglobin levels and associated COPD have a negative association with the need of mechanical ventilation. Conclusion(s): Hypercoagulability along with neutrophilia and lymphocytopenia can be used as positive associations for the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Copyright © 2022, College of Anaesthesiologists of Sri Lanka. All rights reserved.