Naslov
Tracheomegaly as a potential predictor of severe tracheal damage in COVID-19 patients on long-term mechanical ventilation

Autori
Tarle, Marko ; Raguž, Marina ; Đerke, Filip ; Orešković, Darko ; Peršec, Jasminka ; Lukšić, Ivica

Izvornik
COVID (2673-8112) 2 (2022), 6; 719-730

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
mechanical ventilation ; SARS-CoV-2 ; trachea diameter ; tracheomegaly

Sažetak
Tracheomegaly (TM) is a rare appearance that is radiologically defined as an excessive enlargement of the tracheal diameter. We present a comprehensive analysis of tracheal diameter measurements and TM incidence in patients admitted and treated due to COVID-19 pneumonitis and its association with possible respiratory complications. In this retrospective study, we included 1015 patients divided into three groups: 383 patients treated using mechanical ventilation (MV), 132 patients treated using high-flow ventilation (HFV), and 500 randomly selected patients using nasal catheter (NC) oxygenation. The tracheal lumen diameter was measured continuously using a chest X-ray, and the cuff/trachea (C/T) diameter ratio was calculated. We detected TM in 71 patients (18.54%). Regression analysis showed statistical significance in MV patients for the trachea diameter at the level of the cuff, maximal trachea diameter and C/T diameter ratio, and days on MV. Respiratory complications showed a significant association with the C/T diameter ratio. The C/T diameter ratio was shown to be a reliable potential predictor of the occurrence of respiratory complications. The results of the study highlight the importance of the early detection and prevention of TM in COVID-19 patients on MV using a chest X-ray and measurement of the C/T diameter ratio.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA