Background: High incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) has been reported in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Among these patients, we aimed to assess the incidence, outcomes and risk factors of VAP recurrences. Methods: We conducted an observational retrospective study in three French intensive care units (ICUs). Patients admitted for a documented COVID-19 from March 2020 to May 2021 and requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) for ≥48 h were included. The study main outcome was the incidence of VAP recurrences. Secondary outcomes were the duration of MV, ICU and hospital length of stay and mortality according to VAP and recurrences. We also assessed the factors associated with VAP recurrences. Results: During the study period, 398 patients met the inclusion criteria. A total of 236 (59%) of them had at least one VAP episode during their ICU stay and 109 (46%) of these patients developed at least one recurrence. The incidence of VAP recurrence considering death and extubation as competing events was 29.6% (IC = [0.250–0.343]). Seventy-eight percent of recurrences were due to the same bacteria (relapses). Patients with a VAP recurrence had a longer duration of MV as compared with one VAP and no VAP patients (41 (25–56) vs. 16 (8–30) and 10 (5–18) days; p < 0.001) and a longer ICU length of stay (46 (29–66) vs. 22 (12–36) and 14 (9–25) days; p < 0.001). The 90-day mortality was higher in the recurrence group as compared with the no VAP group only (31.2 vs. 21.0% (p = 0.021)). In a multivariate analysis including bacterial co-infection at admission, the use of immunosuppressive therapies and the bacteria responsible for the first VAP episode, the duration of MV was the only factor independently associated with VAP recurrence. Conclusion: In COVID-19 associated respiratory failure, recurrences affected 46% of patients with a first episode of VAP. VAP recurrences were mainly relapses and were associated with a prolonged duration of MV and ICU length of stay but not with a higher mortality. MV duration was the only factor associated with recurrences.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the second most frequent condition after acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 and is strongly associated with mortality. The aim of this multicentric study was to assess the impact of the specific treatments of COVID-19 and ARDS on the risk of severe AKI in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this cohort study, data from consecutive patients older than 18 years admitted to 6 ICUs for COVID-19-related ARDS requiring invasive mechanical ventilation were included. The incidence and severity of AKI, defined according to the 2012 KDIGO definition, were monitored during the entire ICU stay until day 90. Patients older than 18 years admitted to the ICU for COVID-19-related ARDS requiring invasive mechanical ventilation were included. Results: 164 patients were included in the final analysis; 97 (59.1%) displayed AKI, of which 39 (23.8%) had severe stage 3 AKI, and 21 (12.8%) required renal replacement therapy (RRT). In univariate analysis, severe AKI was associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) exposure (p = 0.016), arterial hypertension (p = 0.029), APACHE-II score (p = 0.004) and mortality at D28 (p = 0.008), D60 (p < 0.001) and D90 (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with the onset of stage 3 AKI were: exposure to ACEI (OR: 4.238 (1.307–13.736), p = 0.016), APACHE II score (without age) (OR: 1.138 (1.044–1.241), p = 0.003) and iNO (OR: 5.694 (1.953–16.606), p = 0.001). Prone positioning (OR: 0.234 (0.057–0.967), p = 0.045) and dexamethasone (OR: 0.194 (0.053–0.713), p = 0.014) were associated with a decreased risk of severe AKI. Conclusions: Dexamethasone was associated with the prevention of the risk of severe AKI and RRT, and iNO was associated with severe AKI and RRT in critically ill patients with COVID-19. iNO should be used with caution in COVID-19-related ARDS.

Objectives: To describe clinical characteristics and management of intensive care units (ICU) patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and to determine 90-day mortality after ICU admission and associated risk factors. Methods: This observational retrospective study was conducted in six intensive care units (ICUs) in three university hospitals in Marseille, France. Between 10 March and 10 May 2020, all adult patients admitted in ICU with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory failure were eligible for inclusion. The statistical analysis was focused on the mechanically ventilated patients. The primary outcome was the 90-day mortality after ICU admission. Results: Included in the study were 172 patients with COVID-19 related respiratory failure, 117 of whom (67%) received invasive mechanical ventilation. 90-day mortality of the invasively ventilated patients was 27.4%. Median duration of ventilation and median length of stay in ICU for these patients were 20 (9–33) days and 29 (17–46) days. Mortality increased with the severity of ARDS at ICU admission. After multivariable analysis was carried out, risk factors associated with 90-day mortality were age, elevated Charlson comorbidity index, chronic statins intake and occurrence of an arterial thrombosis. Conclusion: In this cohort, age and number of comorbidities were the main predictors of mortality in invasively ventilated patients. The only modifiable factor associated with mortality in multivariate analysis was arterial thrombosis.