Monitoring of vital signs and primary arterial oxygen saturation in COVID-19 patients at the beginning of the emergency department and evaluation of the relationship with radiological findings in the first 24 hours of hospitalization

Abstract

Considering that most COVID-19 patients suffer cardiac arrest and death after intubation, the aim of this study was to find an indicator to evaluate and predict the severity of the disease and to take rapid measures to prevent the death of patients. Methods: During the six months from December 1399 to May 1400, the number of suspected or definite patients with COVID 19 referred to the emergency department of Imam Reza Hospital were included in the study. Vital signs and peripheral blood oxygen saturation were determined. Then the patients were examined by graphic and CT scan. Finally, the saturation shock index was calculated in the first twenty-four hours and its relationship with the need for intubation was determined according to its indications.

Results: In this study, in which 527 people were included, the mean age of patients (59.02 61 61.94; 95% CI) was 60.48 17 17.04 years. Of these patients, 231 (43.8%) are women and 296 (56.2%) are men. Half of the patients had a history of hypertension and a quarter had known diabetes. Lung disease was present in only 10% of patients, which was obstructive to asthma in a ratio of 1: 3, and no limiting lung disease was found among the patients. Due to the absence of clear tachypnea and tachycardia, despite the presence of low oxygen saturation, it shows that the absence of distress and calmness of patients does not rule out hypoxia. The percentage of lung involvement of patients referred during the first visit to the emergency room is observed. The median percentage of lung involvement was 35% and the median incidence was 20% to 60%. One in five patients admitted to the hospital has died. The median time between intubation and death in patients was 14 hours