Percutaneous Tracheostomy in COVID-19 Patients: A Four-step Safe Protocol.

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has inundated healthcare systems globally especially resources in intensive care units (ICUs). Tracheostomy may be required in critically ill COVID-19 patients to facilitate weaning and to optimize resources like ventilator and ICU beds. Percutaneous tracheostomy (PCT) has become the standard of care globally in ICUs; however, it is considered a high-risk procedure in COVID-19 patients because of the inherent risk of aerosol generation.

Tocilizumab Use in COVID-19 Cytokine-release Syndrome: Retrospective Study of Two Centers.

Introduction: Cytokine-release syndrome (CRS) in COVID-19 patients can cause multiorgan failure and higher mortality. We used a structured protocol based on clinical, biochemical, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) criteria for the identification of the subset of patients with CRS and analyzed the use of tocilizumab for their treatment.

Materials And Methods: We did a retrospective case-control analysis of all COVID-19 patients between 15 March and 15 May 2020 with severe to critical disease in ICU.