Chest radiograph at admission predicts early intubation among inpatient COVID-19 patients

• DOI: 10.1007/s00330-020-07354-y
• Publication Date: 2020-10-13T20:03:01Z
• Authors: Nicholas Xiao; John G. Cooper; Jacqueline M. Godbe; Meagan A. Bechel; Michael B. Scott; Edward Nguyen; Danielle M. McCarthy; Samir Abboud; Bradley D. Allen; Nishant D. Parekh
• Keywords: Chest radiograph; Hospital admission

The 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) results in a wide range of clinical severity and there remains need for prognostic tools which identify patients at risk rapid deterioration who require critical care. Chest radiography (CXR) is routinely obtained admission COVID-19 patients. However, little known regarding correlates between CXR time to intubation. We hypothesize that the degree opacification on independently predicts intubation.In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed were admitted an urban medical center during March 2020 had performed day admission. CXRs divided into 12 lung zones assessed by two blinded thoracic radiologists. A rating score (CORS) was generated assigning one point each zone opacity observed. Underlying comorbidities abstracted association.One hundred forty included study 47 (34%) required intubation Patients with CORS ≥ 6 demonstrated significantly higher rates early within 48 h hospital stay (ORs 24 h, 19.8, p < 0.001; 28.1, stay, 6.1, 0.0001). There no significant correlation age, sex, BMI, or any underlying cardiac pulmonary comorbidities.CORS intubation, increases independent comorbidities.• • More opacities chest are associated several fold mechanical ventilation among useful identifying whom may rapidly deteriorate help inform management as well bed allocation.