The effect of using iloprost on prognosis in COVID-19 patients with ARDS: a retrospective clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: Epithelial damage together with endothelitis and microvascular thrombi are responsible for COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Iloprost, improves endothelial damage and reduces thrombotic complications with its vasodilator, anti-platelet, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic effects. In our study, we aimed to determine the effect of iloprost on oxygenation, hemodynamics, weaning, and mortality in severe COVID-19 ARDS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted in a pandemic hospital in the city of Istanbul, Turkey. Patients, with severe COVID-19 ARDS, who were receiving iloprost for seven days were included in the study. The demographic data, APACHE II, and SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score) scores (at admission and discharge), pH, PaO2, PCO2, SatO2, lactate, PaO2/FiO2 (inspiratory fractionated oxygen), respiratory rate-oxygenation (ROX) index (peripheral oxygen saturation/fraction of inhaled oxygen), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressures (MAP), heart rate (HR) values were recorded before starting iloprost (T0), and on days of iloprost administration (2.0 nanograms/kg/minute/6 hours/day) (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7), and the day after last day of iloprost administration (Tfinal). Also, mortality was recorded in a retrospective manner. Two groups were formed according to mortality (Group M) and discharge (Group D). RESULTS: A total of 22 patients (16 men, 6 women) were evaluated. Age, APACHE II, SOFA scores were higher in Group M. The lactate value at T1-3-4-5-7 was lower than T0 in both groups. PaO2 value between T2-Tfinal was higher than T0. A statistically significant increase was found in PaO2/FiO2 levels in both groups. The PaO2/FiO2value between T5-Tfinal was significantly lower in Group M compared to Group D. ROX index was significantly higher between T4-Tfinal when compared with T0. CONCLUSIONS: Iloprost improves oxygenation but has no effect on mortality in COVID-19 ARDS.