Effect of noninvasive ventilation on mortality and clinical outcomes among patients with severe hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia after high-flow nasal oxygen failure: a multicenter retrospective French cohort with propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the effect of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) on mortality and length of stay after high flow nasal oxygenation (HFNO) failure among patients with severe hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: In this multicenter, retrospective study, we enrolled COVID-19 patients admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) for severe COVID-19 pneumonia with a HFNO failure from December 2020 to January 2022. The primary outcome was to compare the 90-day mortality between patients who required a straight intubation after HFNO failure and patients who received NIV after HFNO failure. Secondary outcomes included ICU and hospital length of stay. A propensity score analysis was performed to control for confounding factors between groups. Exploratory outcomes included a subgroup analysis for 90-day mortality. RESULTS: We included 461 patients with HFNO failure in the analysis, 233 patients in the straight intubation group and 228 in the NIV group. The 90-day mortality did not significantly differ between groups, 58/228 (25.4%) int the NIV group compared with 59/233 (25.3%) in the straight intubation group, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) after propensity score weighting of 0.82 [95%CI, 0.50-1.35] (p = 0.434). ICU length of stay was significantly shorter in the NIV group compared to the straight intubation group, 10.0 days [IQR, 7.0-19.8] versus 18.0 days [IQR,11.0-31.0] with a propensity score weighted HR of 1.77 [95%CI, 1.29-2.43] (p < 0.001). A subgroup analysis showed a significant increase in mortality rate for intubated patients in the NIV group with 56/122 (45.9%), compared to 59/233 (25.3%) for patients in the straight intubation group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In severely hypoxemic COVID-19 patients, no significant differences were observed on 90-day mortality between patients receiving straight intubation and those receiving NIV after HFNO failure. NIV strategy was associated with a significant reduction in ICU length of stay, despite an increase in mortality in the subgroup of patients finally intubated.

New Trend in Toxicological Screening Using Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling (VAMS) and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HR/MS) Combination.

In toxicology, screenings are routinely performed using chromatographic methods coupled to detection systems such as high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR/MS). The increase in specificity and sensitivity of HRMS is responsible for the development of methods for alternative samples such as Volumetric Adsorptive Micro-Sampling. Whole blood overloaded with 90 drugs was sampled with 20 µL MitraTM to optimize the pre-analytical step as well as to determine the identification limits of drugs. Elution of chemicals was carried out in a solvent mixture through agitation and sonication. After dissolution, 10 µL was injected into the chromatographic system coupled to the OrbitrapTM HR/MS. Compounds were confirmed against the laboratory library. The clinical feasibility was assessed in fifteen poisoned patients using the simultaneous sampling of plasma, whole blood and MitraTM. The optimized extraction procedure allowed us to confirm 87 compounds out of the 90 present in the spiked whole blood. Cannabis derivatives were not detected. For 82.2% of the investigated drugs, the identification limits were below 12.5 ng·mL-1, with the extraction yields ranging from 80.6 to 108.7%. Regarding the patients' analysis, 98% of the compounds in plasma were detected in MitraTM compared to whole blood, with a satisfying concordance (R2 = 0.827). Our novel screening approach opens new insights into different toxicologic fields appropriate for pediatrics, forensics or to perform mass screening.

Combination of Mycological Criteria: a Better Surrogate to Identify COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis Patients and Evaluate Prognosis?

Diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) remains unclear especially in nonimmunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate seven mycological criteria and their combination in a large homogenous cohort of patients. All successive patients (n = 176) hospitalized for COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation and who clinically worsened despite appropriate standard of care were included over a 1-year period. Direct examination, culture, Aspergillus quantitative PCR (Af-qPCR), and galactomannan testing were performed on all respiratory samples (n = 350). Serum galactomannan, ß-d-glucan, and plasma Af-qPCR were also assessed. The criteria were analyzed alone or in combination in relation to mortality rate. Mortality was significantly different in patients with 0, ≤2, and ≥3 positive criteria (log rank test, P = 0.04) with death rate of 43.1, 58.1, and 76.4%, respectively. Direct examination, plasma qPCR, and serum galactomannan were associated with a 100% mortality rate. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) galactomannan and positive respiratory sample culture were often found as isolated markers (28.1 and 34.1%) and poorly repeatable when a second sample was obtained. Aspergillus DNA was detected in 13.1% of samples (46 of 350) with significantly lower quantitative cycle (Cq) when associated with at least one other criterion (30.2 versus 35.8) (P < 0.001). A combination of markers and/or blood biomarkers and/or direct respiratory sample examination seems more likely to identify patients with CAPA. Af-qPCR may help identifying false-positive results of BAL galactomannan testing and culture on respiratory samples while quantifying fungal burden accurately.

Reversibility of total airway closure and alveolar consolidation in a COVID-19 patient: A case study.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be complicated by life-threatening pneumonia requiring tracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation and veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO). It is not yet clear to what extent and after which delay the most severe cases of COVID-19 pneumonia are reversible. Here, we present a 39-year-old patient who developed a severe COVID-19-attributed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resulting in complete alveolar consolidation and airway closure for several weeks. His remarkable ventilatory pattern was established using ventilator airway pressure curve analysis and computed tomography imaging. The patient was managed with supportive care, mechanical ventilation and vvECMO. He received dexamethasone and tocilizumab as immunomodulatory drugs. Despite multiple complications, he recovered and was weaned from vvECMO, ventilator and oxygen on days 75, 95 and 99 post-intubation, respectively. He was discharged from hospital on day 113. This case study strongly supports the remarkable potential for reversibility of ARDS in COVID-19 patients and discusses the implications for critical care nursing regarding mechanical ventilation and ECMO device management in patients who may become entirely dependent on vvECMO for oxygenation and carbon dioxide elimination.

Comparison of Circulating Immune Cells Profiles and Kinetics Between Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Bacterial Sepsis.

OBJECTIVES: Although clinical presentation of coronavirus disease 2019 has been extensively described, immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 remains yet not fully understood. Similarities with bacterial sepsis were observed; however, few studies specifically addressed differences of immune response between both conditions. Here, we report a longitudinal analysis of the immune response in coronavirus disease 2019 patients, its correlation with outcome, and comparison between severe coronavirus disease 2019 patients and septic patients. DESIGN: Longitudinal, retrospective observational study. SETTING: Tertiary-care hospital during the first 2020 coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak in France. PATIENTS: All successive patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection admitted to the emergency department, medical ward, and ICU with at least one available immunophenotyping performed during hospital stay. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Between March and April 2020, 247 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 were included and compared with a historical cohort of 108 severe septic patients. Nonsevere coronavirus disease 2019 patients (n = 153) presented normal or slightly altered immune profiles. Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (n = 94) immune profile differed from sepsis. Coronavirus disease 2019 exhibited profound and prolonged lymphopenia (mostly on CD3, CD4, CD8, and NK cells), neutrophilia, and human leukocyte antigen D receptor expression on CD14+ monocytes down-regulation. Surprisingly, coronavirus disease 2019 patients presented a unique profile of B cells expansion, basophilia, and eosinophilia. Lymphopenia, human leukocyte antigen D receptor expression on CD14+ monocytes down-regulation, and neutrophilia were associated with a worsened outcome, whereas basophilia and eosinophilia were associated with survival. Circulating immune cell kinetics differed between severe coronavirus disease 2019 and sepsis, lack of correction of immune alterations in coronavirus disease 2019 patients during the first 2 weeks of ICU admission was associated with death and nosocomial infections. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating immune cells profile differs between mild and severe coronavirus disease 2019 patients. Severe coronavirus disease 2019 is associated with a unique immune profile as compared with sepsis. Several immune features are associated with outcome. Thus, immune monitoring of coronavirus disease 2019 might be of help for patient management.

Synchronized Pulsatile Flow With Low Systolic Output From Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Improves Myocardial Recovery After Experimental Cardiac Arrest in Pigs.

Circulatory failure following cardiac arrest (CA) requires catecholamine support and occasionally veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vaECMO). VaECMO-generated blood flow is continuous and retrograde, increasing ventricular stroke work. Our aim was to assess the benefit of a device generating a pulsatile vaECMO flow synchronized with the heart rhythm lowering systolic vaECMO output on the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and pulmonary capillary pressure (Pcap) after CA. This experimental randomized study in pigs compared standard nonpulsatile vaECMO (control) with pulsatile synchronized vaECMO (study) group using a pulsatility-generating device. After sedation and intubation, ventricular fibrillation was induced by pacing. After 10-min ventricular fibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed for 20 min then vaECMO, defibrillation and 0.15 µg/kg/min intravenous epinephrine infusion were initiated. Hemodynamics, Pcap, LVEF by echocardiography and angiography were measured at baseline and every 30 min after the vaECMO start until vaECMO and epinephrine were stopped (at 120 min), and 30 min later. Baseline hemodynamics did not differ between groups; 120 min after vaECMO initiation, LVEF by echocardiography and angiography was significantly higher in the study than control group 55 ± 19% versus 34 ± 13% (P = 0.042), 50 ± 16% versus 33 ± 12% (P = 0.043), respectively. Pcap decreased from baseline by 4.2 ± 8.6 mm Hg in the study group but increased by 5.6 ± 5.9 mm Hg in the control group (P = 0.043). Thirty minutes later, LVEF remained higher in the study group 44 ± 7% versus 26 ± 11% (P = 0.008) while Pcap did not differ. A synchronized pulsatile device decreasing systolic output from vaECMO improved LVEF and Pcap in a pig model of CA and resuscitation.

Low-pressure sequential compression of lower limbs enhances forearm skin blood flow.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether forearm skin blood flow could be improved when a multilayer pulsatile inflatable suit was applied at a low pressure to the lower limbs and abdomen. We hypothesized that a non-invasive purely mechanical stimulation of the lower limbs could induce remote forearm blood flow modifications. METHODS: The pulsatile suit induced a sequential compartmentalized low compression (65 mmHg), which was synchronized with each diastole of the cardiac cycle with each phase evolving centripetally (lower limbs to abdomen). Modifications of the forearm skin blood flow were continuously recorded by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) at baseline and during the pulsatile suit application. Endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilations of the forearm skin microcirculation were measured by LDF in response to a local transdermal iontophoretic application of acetylcholine (ACh-test) and to hyperthermia (hyperT- test). RESULTS: Twenty-four healthy volunteers, 12 men and 12 women (43±14 years) were included in the study. LDF responses increased 1) under pulsatile suit (97±106%, p.

Influence of α-stat and pH-stat blood gas management strategies on cerebral blood flow and oxygenation in patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a crossover study.

OBJECTIVES: In patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, two blood gas management strategies are used regarding the PaCO2 target: α-stat or pH-stat. We aimed to compare the effects of these strategies on cerebral blood flow and oxygenation. DESIGN: Prospective observational single-center crossover study. SETTING: ICU of University hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-one therapeutic hypothermia-treated patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest more than 18 years old without history of cerebrovascular disease were included. INTERVENTIONS: Cerebral perfusion and oxygenation variables were compared in α-stat (PaCO2 measured at 37 °C) versus pH-stat (PaCO2 measured at 32-34 °C), both strategies maintaining physiological PaCO2 values: 4.8-5.6 kPa (36-42 torr). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Bilateral transcranial middle cerebral artery flow velocities using Doppler and jugular vein oxygen saturation were measured in both strategies 18 hours (14-23 hr) after the return of spontaneous circulation. Pulsatility and resistance indexes and cerebral oxygen extraction were calculated. Data are expressed as median (interquartile range 25-75) in α-stat versus pH-stat. No differences were found in temperature, arterial blood pressure, and oxygenation between α-stat and pH-stat. Significant differences were found in minute ventilation (p = 0.006), temperature-corrected PaCO2 (4.4 kPa [4.1-4.6 kPa] vs. 5.1 kPa [5.0-5.3 kPa], p = 0.0001), and temperature-uncorrected PaCO2 (p = 0.0001). No differences were found in cerebral blood velocities and pulsatility and resistance indexes in the overall population. Significant differences were found in jugular vein oxygen saturation (83.2% [79.2-87.6%] vs. 86.7% [83.2-88.2%], p = 0.009) and cerebral oxygen extraction (15% [11-20%] vs. 12% [10-16%], p = 0.01), respectively. In survivors, diastolic blood velocities were 25 cm/s (19-30 cm/s) versus 29 cm/s (23-35 cm/s) (p = 0.004), pulsatility index was 1.10 (0.97-1.18) versus 0.94 (0.89-1.05) (p = 0.027), jugular vein oxygen saturation was 79.2 (71.1-81.8) versus 83.3% (76.6-87.8) (p = 0.033), respectively. However, similar results were not found in nonsurvivors. CONCLUSIONS: In therapeutic hypothermia-treated patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest at physiological PaCO2, α-stat strategy increases jugular vein blood desaturation and cerebral oxygen extraction compared with pH-stat strategy and decreases cerebral blood flow velocities in survivors.

Vitamin K1 antagonisation is not safe in high thromboembolic risk patients with over-anticoagulation.

We report a case of a fatal massive anterior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after administration of vitamin K1 for over-anticoagulation following cardioembolism from mechanical mitroaortic valve prostheses associated with atrial fibrillation.

Monitoring persistent platelet reactivity in patients with unprotected left main stenting.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the rate and potential clinical impact of persistent platelet reactivity (PPR) in unprotected left main (ULMD) stenting. BACKGROUND: PPR under aspirin or thienopyridines is associated with acute events after angioplasty. METHODS: We prospectively included 125 patients referred for ULMD stenting. For the first 64 patients (ALMA-1), angioplasty was performed under aspirin and clopidogrel without platelet reactivity assessment. For the last 61 patients (ALMA-2), platelet reactivity was assessed before angioplasty: in patients with aspirin-related PPR, aspirin twice daily was given and in those with clopidogrel-related PPR, clopidogrel double dose or prasugrel was used. RESULTS: Overall, patients' mean age was 69 ± 13 years, 37% were diabetic, and 37% had non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Patients' characteristics were similar in both studies with isolated left main in 14% and associated with 1-, 2-, or 3-vessel disease in 23%, 36%, and 27%, respectively. Mean SYNTAX score was 23 ± 9. Procedural characteristics were similar using provisional T stenting in 69%, T stenting in 27%, and other techniques in 4%. In ALMA-2, 28% patients had PPR for aspirin, 29% for clopidogrel, and 8% for both. Aspirin twice daily was given in 28% of patients, clopidogrel double dose in 26%, and prasugrel in 31%. The rate of 1-year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was lower in ALMA-2 versus ALMA-1 (8.2% vs. 20.8%; P = 0.04) as a composite end-point of cardiovascular death or stent thrombosis (0.0% vs. 8.3%; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: PPR under aspirin and thienopyridines is frequent in ULMD stenting and could be related to subsequent major events.

Extracorporeal life support in cardiotoxicant poisoning-A narrative review.

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) improves circulation in life-threatening cardiac dysfunction or arrest patients. Its benefits in drug-induced cardiovascular complications are debated. Indications and outcomes are poorly established. We performed a narrative review discussing ECLS indications, timing and results in cardiotoxicant-poisoned patients. The review was focused on antiarrhythmic drugs and aluminium phosphide. Literature analysis was limited to the past 30 years in adults. Most reports were single cases and retrospective except one prospective case series of limited size, two of them controlled. ECLS indications and timing were at the discretion of physicians in charge but mostly included persistent cardiovascular failure despite elevated doses of inotropic/vasopressor support associated with elevated blood lactate concentrations (usually, >5 mmol/L) and collapsed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; usually, ≤40%). Survival improved using ECLS versus standard care in one study. Survival was ~80% if ECLS was implemented in refractory cardiovascular failure and 25%-66% if implemented in cardiac arrest. In two controlled studies, survival of ECLS-treated aluminium phosphide-poisoned patients was improved versus standard care, if implemented in the presence of systolic blood pressure ≤80 mmHg despite inotropic/vasopressor treatment, arterial pH ≤ 7.0 and LVEF ≤ 40%. Despite low-to-moderate level of evidence, ECLS seems effective to improve survival in selected cardiotoxicant-poisoned patients. Selection criteria need clarification.

Life-Threatening Cardiogenic Shock Related to Venlafaxine Poisoning-A Case Report with Metabolomic Approach.

Metabolomics in clinical toxicology aim at reliably identifying and semi-quantifying a broad array of endogenous and exogenous metabolites using dedicated analytical methods. Here, we developed a three-step-based workflow to investigate the metabolic impact of the antidepressant drug venlafaxine in a poisoned patient who developed life-threatening cardiac failure managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Both targeted quantitative and untargeted semi-quantitative metabolomic analyses using liquid chromatography hyphenated to high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry were performed to determine the plasma kinetics of venlafaxine, O-desmethyl-venlafaxine, and N-desmethyl-venlafaxine and to identify sixteen different venlafaxine-derived metabolites including one unknown (i.e., venlafaxine conjugated to a hexosyl-radical), respectively. Correlations between the quantitative metabolomic data and annotated endogenous metabolites suggested impaired amino acid and lipid metabolism, Krebs cycle, and kynurenine pathway. This preliminary study represents a first step towards a more extensive application of toxicometabolomics in clinical toxicology and a useful workflow to identify the biomarkers of toxicity.

Cerebral hemodynamic effects of head-up CPR in a porcine model.

AIM: To assess the hemodynamic effects of head elevation on cerebral perfusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a porcine model of cardiac arrest. METHODS: VF was induced in eight 65 kg pigs that were treated with CPR after five minutes of no flow. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured at the descending thoracic aorta. Internal carotid artery blood flow (CBF) was measured with an ultrasound probe. Cerebral perfusion pressure (CerPP) was calculated in two ways (CerPPICAP and CerPPreported) using the same intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement. CePPreported was calculated as MAP-ICP. CerPPICAP was calculated by using intracranial arterial pressure (ICAP) - ICP. The animals were switched between head up (HUP) and supine (SUP) CPR every five minutes for a total of twenty minutes of resuscitation. RESULTS: MAP and coronary perfusion pressure measurements were similar in both CPR positions (p = 0.36 and p = 0.1, respectively). ICP was significantly lower in the HUP CPR group (14.7 ± 1 mm Hg vs 26.9 ± 1 mm Hg, p < 0.001) as was ICAP (30.1 ± 2 mm Hg vs 42.6 ± 1 mmHg, p < 0.001). The proportional decrease in ICP and ICAP resulted in similar CerPPICAP comparing HUP and SUPCPR (p = 0.7). CBF was significantly lower during HUPCPR when compared to SUPCPR (58.5 ± 3 ml/min vs 78 ± 4 ml/min, p < 0.001). A higher CerPPreported was found during the HUP compared to SUP-CPR, when MAP was used (36.6 ± 2 mm Hg vs 23 ± 2 mm Hg, p < 0.001) without correcting for the hydrostatic pressure drop. CONCLUSION: HUP did not affect cerebral perfusion pressure and it significantly decreased internal carotid blood flow.

The impact of BMI on arrest characteristics and survival of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

AIM: To assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on survival to hospital discharge of patients presenting with refractory ventricular fibrillation treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We hypothesize that due to limitations in pre-hospital care delivery, people with high BMI have worse survival after prolonged resuscitation and ECPR. METHODS: This study is a retrospective single-centre study that included patients suffering refractory VT/VF OHCA from December 2015 to October 2021 and had a BMI calculated at hospital admission. We compared the baseline characteristics and survival between patients with obesity (>30 kg/m2) and those without (≤30 kg/m2). RESULTS: Two-hundred eighty-three patients were included in this study, and two-hundred twenty-four required mechanical support with veno-arterial extracorporeal cardiopulmonary membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO). Patients with BMI > 30 (n = 133) had significantly prolonged CPR duration compared to their peers with BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2 (n = 150) and were significantly more likely to require support with VA ECMO (85.7% vs 73.3%, p = 0.015). Survival to hospital discharge was significantly higher in patients with BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2 (48% vs. 29.3%, p < 0.001). BMI was an independent predictor of mortality in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. The four-year mortality rate was low and not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.32). CONCLUSION: ECPR yields clinically meaningful long-term survival in patients with BMI > 30 kg/m2. However, the resuscitation time is significantly prolonged, and the overall survival significantly lower compared to patients with BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2. ECPR should, therefore, not be withheld for this population, but faster transport to an ECMO capable centre is mandated to improve survival to hospital discharge.

Biological efficacy of twice daily aspirin in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is associated with a high rate of events after acute coronary syndrome and percutaneous coronary intervention despite aspirin treatment. Once daily aspirin might not provide 24-hour stable biological efficacy in patients with diabetes. We compared the biological efficacy of the same daily dose of aspirin given either once (OPD) or divided twice per day in a population of diabetic patients with previous coronary artery disease. METHODS: Ninety-two consecutive diabetic patients with at least 1 criteria of time-dependent aspirin efficacy, elevated high-sensibility C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, platelet count, or active smoking were prospectively included. Consecutive patients were randomly treated with 150-mg aspirin daily given either OPD (150 mg in the morning) or twice per day (75 mg in the morning and 75 mg in the evening) in a crossover study. The main outcome was platelet reactivity to arachidonic acid (0.5 mg/mL) measured by light transmission aggregometry at trough level before morning aspirin intake. RESULTS: Mean maximum aggregation intensity triggered by arachidonic acid was 19.7% ± 15.4% on OPD and 11.9% ± 10.4% on twice per day (P < .0001). Biological resistance (maximum aggregation intensity ≥20%) was observed in 42% of patients on OPD and 17% on twice per day (P < .001). Of the 39 patients with biological resistance on OPD, 24 (62%) overcame resistance on twice per day. Of the 16 resistant on twice per day, only 1 patient (6%) overcame resistance on OPD. Results were concordant with global evaluation of platelet reactivity by Platelet Function Analyzer-100. A better twice per day efficacy was independent of clopidogrel cotreatment. CONCLUSION: In a population of diabetic patients with coronary artery disease and a high risk of time-dependent aspirin resistance, aspirin divided twice per day can significantly decrease the rate of biological loss of efficacy at trough level.

Cumulative Radiation Exposure in Covid-19 Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

Medical imaging plays a major role in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patient diagnosis and management. However, the radiation dose received from medical procedures by these patients has been poorly investigated. We aimed to estimate the cumulative effective dose (CED) related to medical exposure in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in comparison to the usual critically ill patients. We designed a descriptive cohort study including 90 successive ICU COVID-19 patients admitted between March and May 2020 and 90 successive non-COVID-19 patients admitted between March and May 2019. In this study, the CED resulting from all radiological examinations was calculated and clinical characteristics predictive of higher exposure risk identified. The number of radiological examinations was 12.0 (5.0-26.0) [median (interquartile range) in COVID-19 vs. 4.0 (2.0-8.0) in non-COVID-19 patient (P < 0.001)]. The CED during a four-month period was 4.2 mSv (1.9-11.2) in the COVID-19 vs. 1.2 mSv (0.13-6.19) in the non-COVID-19 patients (P < 0.001). In the survivors, the CED in COVID-19 vs. non-COVID-19 patients was ≥100 mSv in 3% vs. 0%, 10-100 mSv in 23% vs. 15%, 1-10 mSv in 56% vs. 30% and <1 mSv in 18% vs. 55%. The CED (P < 0.001) and CED per ICU hospitalization day (P = 0.004) were significantly higher in COVID-19 than non-COVID-19 patients. The CED correlated significantly with the hospitalization duration (r = 0.45, P < 0.001) and the number of conventional radiological examinations (r = 0.8, P < 0.001). To conclude, more radiological examinations were performed in critically ill COVID-19 patients than non-COVID-19 patients resulting in higher CED. In COVID-19 patients, contribution of strategies to limit CED should be investigated in the future.