[Preliminary analysis of treatment in 32 patients with critical severe acute respiratory syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the experience of treatment in 32 critical severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients.


METHODS
The age of 32 patients ranged from 19 to 72 years, the average was 43.06 years. Among them, 13 patients were having serious primary diseases, i.e. cardio-cerebral-vascular disease in 9 patients, diabetes in 2 patients, renal dysfunction in 1 patient, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 1 patient. The treatment included antiviral agents, glucocorticoid, mechanical ventilation, antibiotics and immunologic enhancement, etc. Cure rate, mortality and complications were analyzed.


RESULTS
Among 32 patients, 24 were cured, 2 died of respiratory failure, 6 died of their primary diseases, and the overall mortality was 25.00 percent. Superimposed infection occurred in 12 patients, and among 17 patients who required noninvasive ventilation, 3 patients were complicated by lung injury (mediastinal emphysema, pneumothorax). In addition, hyperglycemia was found in 4 patients, upper intestinal hemorrhage occurred in another 4 patients and cardiac failure occurred in 6 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of the pre-existing diseases should be emphasized in the treatment of critical SARS. Glucocorticoid should not be used for a long-term. Vigilance should be paid to avoid lung injury during mechanical ventilation.
Lu
Wei
W
Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Tianjin 300162, China.
Zhang
Hong-sheng
HS
Wang
Feng-mei
FM
Wang
Shao-jun
SJ
Wu
Xiao-di
XD
Zhang
Na-xin
NX
Kan
Zhi-chao
ZC
Qin
Ying-zhi
YZ
Xiao
Lang
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult