Intensive care adult patients with severe respiratory failure caused by Influenza A (H1N1)v in Spain.

Introduction: Patients with influenza A (H1N1)v infection have developed rapidly progressive lower respiratory tract disease resulting in respiratory failure. We describe the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of the first 32 persons reported to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to influenza A (H1N1)v infection in Spain.

Methods: We used medical chart reviews to collect data on ICU adult patients reported in a standardized form.