Experience with Mechanical Ventilation of COVID‑19 Patients at a Treatment Center in Nigeria: A Case Series

Abstract

Despite the global burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the experience of intubation and mechanical ventilation among severely ill COVID-19 varies worldwide. This study shares our experience on mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients admitted into the intensive care unit of an isolation and treatment center of Federal Medical Center Katsina, North-western Nigeria. The clinical data obtained from a review of patient’s medical record and folder include clinical presentation, radiological and laboratory findings, treatment and outcome. All the patients were males with ages ranging from 47 to 89 years. All the patients had severe disease with fever and difficulty with breathing being the most common presenting symptoms. All the patients were mechanically ventilated for a period spanning 1–5 days. There was a 75% case‑fatality rate. This study showed that a few critically ill patients with COVID‑19 in developing countries such as Nigeria may benefit from mechanical ventilation. The most common indication for mechanical ventilation among COVID-19 patients during the period of the survey was acute respiratory distress syndrome. Comorbidities are associated with a high mortality rate.