2009 H1N1 Influenza and Experience in Three Critical Care Units

• Main Author: Turgut Teke, Ramazan Coskun, Murat Sungur, Muhammed Guven, Taha T Bekci, Emin Maden, Emine Alp, Mehmet Doganay, Ibrahim Erayman, Kursat Uzun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ivyspring International Publisher 2011-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Medical Sciences
• Online Access: http://www.medsci.org/v08p0270.htm

<p><b>Aim: </b>We describe futures of ICU admission, demographic characteristics, treatment and outcome for critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed and suspected infection with the H1N1 virus admitted to the three different critical care departments in Turkey.</p><p><b>Methods:</b> Retrospective study of critically ill patients with 2009 influenza A(H1N1) at ICU. Demographic data, symptoms, comorbid conditions, and clinical outcomes were collected using a case report form.</p><p><b>Results:</b> Critical illness occurred in 61 patients admitted to an ICU with confirmed (n=45) or probable and suspected 2009 influenza A(H1N1). Patients were young (mean, 41.5 years), were female (54%). Fifty-six patients, required mechanical ventilation (14 invasive, 27 noninvasive, 15 both) during the course of ICU. On admission, mean APACHE II score was 18.7&#177;6.3 and median PaO₂/FIO₂ was 127.9&#177;70.4. 31 patients (50.8%) was die. There were no significant differences in baseline PaO₂/FIO₂and ventilation strategies between survivors and nonsurvivors. Patients who survived were more likely to have NIMV use at the time of admission to the ICU.</p><p><b>Conclusion:</b> Critical illness from 2009 influenza A(H1N1) in ICU predominantly affects young patients with little major comorbidity and had a high case-fatality rate. NIMV could be used in 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection-related hypoxemic respiratory failure.</p>