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.