Diaphragmatic thickening fraction as a predictor for intubation in patients with COVID-19

Manuel Hache-Marliere; Hyomin Lim; Hassan Patail

doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2022.101743

Diaphragmatic thickening fraction as a predictor for intubation in patients with COVID-19

Respir Med Case Rep. 2022:40:101743. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2022.101743. Epub 2022 Sep 27.

Authors

Manuel Hache-Marliere¹, Hyomin Lim¹, Hassan Patail²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, NY, USA.
² Pulmonary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Einstein College of Medicine-Jacobi Medical Center, NY, USA.

Abstract

The diaphragm is the primary respiratory muscle, and its dysfunction predisposes patients to respiratory failure. Diaphragm function can be assessed by ultrasound measurement - Diaphragmatic Thickening Fraction (DTF). Respiratory viral infections (including SARS-CoV-2) can cause diaphragm dysfunction. Our case series follows three patients infected with COVID-19 pneumonia. Bedside diaphragmatic ultrasound assessments measuring DTF were trended over patient's hospital course until clinical improvement (i.e., off oxygen) or worsening (i.e., intubation). Our preliminary results suggest a correlation between DTF trends and respiratory status in patients requiring 100% oxygen. Further studies are required to assess DTF and its possible correlation to respiratory failure.

Keywords: COVID-19; Respiratory failure; Respiratory medicine; Ultrasound.

Publication types

Case Reports