E-ISSN 2617-9784 | ISSN 2617-1791
 

Original Research 


Thoracic Air Leak Syndrome in COVID-19 Patients: An Emergent Complication

Ruhul Munshi, Samia Jahan, Mohammad Hussein, Eman Toraih, Emad Kandil.

Abstract
Background
Sudden clinical deterioration in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) patients may be caused by thoracic air leaks. In this review, we aimed to identify the risk factors predisposing to the development of alveolar air leak and outcomes in COVID 19 patients.

Method
Analysis of 33 studies of COVID – 19 who developed air leaks, published between April 20 to Aug 27, 2020, reviewed.

Results
Twenty-one females (16.8%) and 104 males (83.2%) were included in this study. Their median age was 44.75 years, ranging from 27.5 to 60.0. Of the 125 patients, 100(80%) developed spontaneous pneumothorax, 47 (37.6%) had pneumomediastinum, and 37 (29.6%) presented with subcutaneous emphysema. A chest tube was inserted in 63 (50.4%) patients, 97 (77.6%) received supplemental oxygen, 56 (44.8%) required mechanical ventilation, 64 (51.2%) were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 42 (33.6%) were admitted to the floor, and 35(28%) developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. The median length of hospital stay was 12 days (interquartile range=5.6–17.25), 57 (45.6%), patients were discharged with a median length of stay of 9 days (5.25-16.5), while mortality was reported in 29 patients (23.2%) after a longer hospitalization of 15 days (6.0-18.0). Of those who expired, only one was a smoker, and another had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Conclusion
In COVID-19 disease, air leaks may cause potentially fatal outcomes even in formally stabilized non-smoker patients. Therefore, physicians should be aware of the development of occult air leak disease in rapidly deteriorating cohorts.

Key words: Keywords: COVID-19; SARS CoV-2; Pneumothorax; Pneumomediastinum; Subcutaneous Emphysema.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

RM, SJ, Hussein M, Toraih E, Kandil E. Thoracic Air Leak Syndrome in COVID-19 Patients: An Emergent Complication. SAJEM. 2021; 4(2): 26-33. doi:10.5455/sajem.040206


Web Style

RM, SJ, Hussein M, Toraih E, Kandil E. Thoracic Air Leak Syndrome in COVID-19 Patients: An Emergent Complication. https://www.sajem.org/?mno=127206 [Access: December 04, 2023]. doi:10.5455/sajem.040206


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

RM, SJ, Hussein M, Toraih E, Kandil E. Thoracic Air Leak Syndrome in COVID-19 Patients: An Emergent Complication. SAJEM. 2021; 4(2): 26-33. doi:10.5455/sajem.040206



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

RM, SJ, Hussein M, Toraih E, Kandil E. Thoracic Air Leak Syndrome in COVID-19 Patients: An Emergent Complication. SAJEM. (2021), [cited December 04, 2023]; 4(2): 26-33. doi:10.5455/sajem.040206



Harvard Style

, R. M., , . S. J., Hussein, . M., Toraih, . E. & Kandil, . E. (2021) Thoracic Air Leak Syndrome in COVID-19 Patients: An Emergent Complication. SAJEM, 4 (2), 26-33. doi:10.5455/sajem.040206



Turabian Style

, Ruhul Munshi, Samia Jahan, Mohammad Hussein, Eman Toraih, and Emad Kandil. 2021. Thoracic Air Leak Syndrome in COVID-19 Patients: An Emergent Complication. South Asian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 4 (2), 26-33. doi:10.5455/sajem.040206



Chicago Style

, Ruhul Munshi, Samia Jahan, Mohammad Hussein, Eman Toraih, and Emad Kandil. "Thoracic Air Leak Syndrome in COVID-19 Patients: An Emergent Complication." South Asian Journal of Emergency Medicine 4 (2021), 26-33. doi:10.5455/sajem.040206



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

, Ruhul Munshi, Samia Jahan, Mohammad Hussein, Eman Toraih, and Emad Kandil. "Thoracic Air Leak Syndrome in COVID-19 Patients: An Emergent Complication." South Asian Journal of Emergency Medicine 4.2 (2021), 26-33. Print. doi:10.5455/sajem.040206



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

, R. M., , . S. J., Hussein, . M., Toraih, . E. & Kandil, . E. (2021) Thoracic Air Leak Syndrome in COVID-19 Patients: An Emergent Complication. South Asian Journal of Emergency Medicine, 4 (2), 26-33. doi:10.5455/sajem.040206