Cytokine Hemoadsorption in the Management of a Pregnant Woman with COVID-19 Pneumonia: Case Report

Abstract

Here, we discussed a 22-year-old pregnant woman (gestational age: 32 weeks) infected with COVID-19 who presented with fever (39.1 °C) and respiratory symptoms. Thoracic computed tomography could not be obtained due to pregnancy. PCR testing was positive. The patient was treated with supportive care and anti-viral and anti-inflammatory agents; however, general health status deteriorated and patient was admitted to intensive care unit on day 3. After admission to COVID-19 ICU, clinical picture was rapidly worsened with development of respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Thus, “extracorporeal cytokine hemoadsorption” (CytoSorb®, Cytosorbents Corporation, Monmouth Junction, NJ, USA) was planned and performed with regular intervals in order to remove inflammatory cytokines from circulation and to relieve systemic inflammatory response. The fever response and CRP elevation were controlled by hemoadsorption and cytokine filter performed in alternate days. On day 7 of ICU admission, it was decided to terminate pregnancy due to worsening hypoxemia and a healthy, premature infant was born. On day 2 after cesarean section, the patient was intubated and mechanical ventilation support was initiated. However, the patient showed an increasingly complicated clinical course and died on day 22 after ICU admission. It is seen that COVID-19 positivity carries an important risk for both mother and fetus, particularly in those at advanced stages of gestation, by physiological changes in the mother during pregnancy. We believe that, in the treatment of COVID-19 and its complications during pregnancy, cytokine filter treatment can give time to patient for hemodynamic and metabolic stabilization.

Introduction

The novel coronavirus (nCOV-2019) was first identified in Wuhan Province, China, on December 2019 and it was declared as a pandemic on February 2020 by the World Health Organization [1–3]. Since then, it has remained as an important health problem worldwide. Cytokine storm has an important role in the disease severity [4, 5]. Clinical spectrum ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia and may result in ICU admission [1–3].

The hemodiafiltration, which has become an important therapeutic modality in ICU patients with acute renal insufficiency, is also used to remove inflammatory mediators in extra-renal settings [6]. The well-known examples of hemodiafiltration use for extra-renal causes are systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, and other inflammatory syndromes. In such cases, it is aimed to remove inflammatory cytokines from circulation by hemodiafiltration and reduce systemic inflammatory response. However, in previous studies, cytokine clearance from circulation by hemodiafiltration has not been proven in septic patients [6].

It has been reported that COVID-19 pneumonia is more commonly seen in male gender with limited number of pediatric cases [7]. The pregnant women are more vulnerable to infection due to suppressed in immunity. Given the alterations in maternal physiological and immune functions during pregnancy, the risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection may be higher and clinical presentation may be more complicated in pregnant women. To contribute understanding in pregnant patients, we aimed to present a 22 years pregnant woman (gestational age: 32 weeks) with complicated COVID-19 disease who underwent extra-corporal cytokine hemoadsorption therapy.

Case Report

A 22-year-old pregnant woman (gestational age: 32 weeks) without known systemic disease presented to our hospital with fever. The patient declined CT imaging as she was pregnant. The pregnant woman without respiratory, circulatory, and metabolic problem requiring intensive care unit admission was admitted to a pandemic clinic with suspected COVID-19. As PCR test was positive in the patient, hydroxychloroquine (2 × 400 mg loading dose followed by 2 × 200 mg maintenance dose) and azyrthromycin (2 × 500 mg loading dose followed by 2 × 250 mg maintenance dose) was prescribed based on the National Treatment Guideline [8].

On day 3 after admission, the patient had hypoxemia (peripheral oxygen saturation: 80%) and tachypnea (respiration rate: 36/min); thus, she was admitted to the pandemic intensive care unit.

At ICU admission, the patient was conscious and peripheral oxygen saturation was 78% during spontaneous breathing under oxygen supplementation (6–8 L/min) via face mask. The vital signs at ICU admission were as follows: blood pressure, 140/80 mmHg; heart rate, 140/min, body temperature, 40 °C. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation was initiated (via full-face mask; pressure-assisted ventilation mode; PEEP: 7 cmH₂O and PS: 14 cmH₂O; 50% oxygen supplementation) in the patient. Peripheral oxygen saturation was improved to 97% and tachypnea was decreased (respiration rate: 24/min). The patient was consulted to Obstetrics & Gynecology Department; given the fact that non-stress test revealed no abnormal sign and that there was an improvement in hypoxemia by non-invasive mechanical ventilation, it was planned to monitor fetus closely for pulmonary development without termination of pregnancy.

In the patient with positive PCR testing for COVID-19, cytokine storm was considered due to findings of fever, tachypnea, tachycardia, hypoxemia, and C-reactive protein (CRP) elevation. Ritonavir (50 mg, PO) plus lopinavir (200 mg, 2 × 2 PO) was added to initial treatment with hydroxychloroquine (200 mg tablets, 2 × 1). Since the patient declined radiological imaging studies, no chest radiography or pulmonary CT scan could be performed. Thus, lung sonography was planned to the patient. However, owing to the settings of COVID-19 ICU, general health status of patient, and inexperience, an adequate assessment could not be performed. Although routine treatment protocols in COVID-19 disease are not included, methyl prednisolone (40 mg) was initiated for fetal lung development (32 weeks of gestation).

Tociluzimab (interleukin-6 antagonist) therapy with pregnancy category C due to lack of sufficient evidence [9] and interleukin-1 antagonist due to problems in availability of drug was not given to the patient who was considered as cytokine storm based on clinical and laboratory findings. Thus, extra-corporal cytokine hemoadsorption therapy was performed to remove inflammatory cytokines from circulation and to reduce systemic inflammatory response. Fever response and CRP elevation were controlled by hemoadsorption and cytokine filter (CytoSorb®, Cytosorbents Corporation, Monmouth Junction, NJ, USA) performed on every other day. Table 1 presents daily clinical and laboratory data. During follow-up, ınterleukin-6 could not be monitored due to unavailability of IL-6 kits in our hospital during pandemic.

Table 1.

Daily clinical and laboratory data

	Body temperature (oC)	Peripheral oxygen saturation	Partial oxygen pressure (mmHg)	Leukocyte	Lymphocyte	CRP	Procalcitonin	LDH	Creatinine	AST	ALT	Ferritin	D-Dimer	Fibrinogen	Vasoactive need	Hemadsorption-cytokine filter
Day 1	40	70	25	15.840	710	141	0.3	579	0.62	35	17	20	3013	557	NO	+
Day 2	36	97	78	14.840	820	134	0.33	437	0.62	22	19	36	1823	416	NO	–
Day 3	36	96	75	12.780	1100	105	0.76	367	0.56	24	14	40	1105	395	NO	+
Day 4	36.4	94	68	9.230	1160	67	1.52	538	0.85	40	14	39	1119	335	NO	–
Day 5	36	93	63	10.410	1150	43	1.54	518	0.75	113	33	38.7	2962	379	NO	–
Day 6	36.5	89	56	11.270	1250	41	2.1	452	0.71	102	38	36.9	1556	335	NO	–
Day 7 (cesarean section)	36	88	54	7.620	810	29	2.42	507	0.57	80	44	32.4	2975	301	NO	+
Day 8	36	88	58	9.559	480	42	1.3	452	0.56	80	37	28	4354	301	NO	–

On day 7 after ICU admission, the patient underwent cesarean section based on NST and obstetric sonography findings and deterioration in hypoxemia. The Apgar scores on minute 1 and 5 were 3 and 9, respectively; thus, a short-term (2 min) neonatal resuscitation was provided. It was found that 2 consecutive PCR tests were negative for COVID-19 in the infant; thus, newborn was discharged after 7 days of intensive care admission for prematurity-related problems.

After cesarean section, extra-corporal cytokine hemoadsorption therapy with cytokine filter was repeated due to anticipation of worsening cytokine storm following surgery.

Low-molecular weight heparin prophylaxis was given as of admission to ICU. Initial prophylactic enoxaparin dose (0.4 IU/mL) was up-titrated to 0.8 IU/mL on day 4 after ICU admission by monitoring D-dimer levels.

The high-flow nasal oxygen supplementation (37 °C; 60 L/min flow and 40% oxygen) and interrupted non-invasive mechanical ventilation (50% oxygen; PEEP: 7 cmH₂O; Psupport: 14 cmH₂O; pressure-assisted ventilation mode, via oronasal mask) were applied until day 2 after cesarean section.

On day 2 after cesarean section, orotracheal intubation was performed and mechanical ventilation was initiated; the patient was placed to prolonged prone position (22 h) due to worsened gas exchange (P/F: 70). During follow-up, Acinetobacter sepsis, deep venous thrombosis in left femoral vein, and subsequent pulmonary embolism were developed in the patient and he patient died on day 22 after ICU admission despite all efforts.

Discussion

SARS-CoV-2 is a positive, single-strand RNA virus [1–3]. The SARS-CoV-2 gains access to cell via ACE-2 receptor; it was reported that target cells include type II alveolar cells, myocardial cells, renal proximal tubule cells, epithelial cells of ileum and esophagus, and urothelial cells in bladder [5, 10].

Cytokines have an important role in naïve immune system. The cytokine storm is uncontrolled release of cytokines that may be triggered by several factors such as viral and bacterial components, sepsis, super-antigens, toxins, and antibodies [11]. Data from China suggest that SARS-CoV-2 virus can induce cytokine storm depending on disease severity [11]. However, lymphocytopenia is not considered as risk factor associated to cytokine storm and disease severity [11].

Although there is additional organ failure in 67% of critically ill COVID-19 patients, it has been reported that this is due to a sepsis-like condition progressing with elevated cytokine levels [12]. Extra-corporal blood purification technique has been recommended in critically ill patients with sepsis or sepsis-like syndromes [13]; Cytosorb cartridges are among these techniques and include biocompatible, polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer beads which can adsorb middle-molecular weight molecules using a combination of molecular weight and hydrophobic interactions [13]. It can be used either alone (hemoperfusion) or as a parallel circuit attached to renal replacement therapy circuit, cardiopulmonary bypass system, or extra-corporal membrane oxygenation circuit. The Cytosorb can remove several molecules from circulation such as pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, bilirubin, myoglobin, exotoxins, and drugs [14].

In case of cytokine storm, persistent fever, hepatic dysfunction, hepatomegaly, coagulopathy, skin eruption, and neurological symptoms are present [15]. In severe disease induced by SARS-CoV, IL-6 levels are markedly high [15]. We also used Cytosorb-cytokine filter attached parallel to continuous renal replacement circuit considering cytokine storm based on presence of persistent fever, elevated CRP level, hypoxemia, and lymphopenia in a patient with confirmed COVID-19 disease. In our patient, IL-6 level could not be monitored due to problems in availability of test kits caused by the pandemic. The treatment was monitored by clinical response (regression in fever and hypoxemia level) and CRP level. Based on these parameters, good clinical response after procedure and reduction in CRP levels suggested that cytokine hemoadsorption can be beneficial in cytokine storm.

Although COVID-19 disease is asymptomatic or associated with mild symptoms in majority of cases, severe complications, organ failure, and even death can occur. The present outbreak requires intensive care in 5% of infected population and mortality rate is reported as approximately 49% in critically ill patients [12]. The outbreak remains to be a major health problem and there is no specific vaccine against disease. Given data reported so far, it was seen that the disease has a fatal course in patients with advanced age or comorbid conditions such as coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus while male gender is affected more commonly, and pregnancy has no influence on severity of disease [16]. In our case, presence of a fetus (gestational age: 32 weeks), not using drugs such as favipiravir with marked effectiveness during time period until extraction of fetus, and cesarean section indication due to hypoxemia and postpartum period made clinical course more complicated. In this case, pulmonary embolism, pneumosepsis, femoral vein thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, and spontaneous pneumothorax prolonged length of ICU stay and days in mechanical ventilation.

In a Chinese study including 13 pregnant women with COVID-19 disease, the most common symptom was reported as fever. The age ranged from 28 to 36 years; 11 of 13 pregnant women were in third trimester; one patient in third trimester was admitted to ICU with acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ failure during follow-up. The frequency of ICU admission was reported to be comparable to general population [17]. During pandemic period, 4 pregnant women were treated in our hospital. All patients were treated in accordance with the National Treatment Guidelines [8]. Of these, 3 pregnant women were discharged successfully; however, the patient presented in this paper died.

In 1918 flu pandemic, it was reported that mortality rate was 2–6% in general population and 37% in pregnant women [15]. In 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, it was seen that complication rate was increased in pregnant women and hospitalization rate was higher when compared with general population [18]. In a study by Wong et al., it was reported that 50% of pregnant women with SARS were admitted to ICU and that 33% required mechanical ventilation with mortality rate of 25% [19]. In a study by Chen et al., it was reported that, in pregnant women, clinical characteristics of COVID-19 pneumonia were similar to non-pregnant adults [20]. No ICU admission was required in 9 pregnant women in the study. Although the disease course became complicated due to sepsis, pneumothorax, and thromboembolism in our case, we believe that there is no sufficient data in pregnant women.

There are some limitations about this case. First of all, during cytokine hemoadsorption, a hemodialysis catheter is necessary, so this can cause some complications such as infection, trombosis. Another limitation about this case IL-6 did not monitorized. COVID-19 treatment protocols are still unclear, although it is not appropriate to comment on a single case, we wanted to share our experience in a complicated pregnant woman with COVID-19 pneumonia with this case report. Some new membrane technologies targeting cytokine removal may result in better outcomes. There may be a “window of opportunity” for patients with severe COVID-19, and early application of blood purification therapies should be considered.

Conclusion

We think that COVID-19 positivity comprises great risk for both mother and fetus in pregnant women with gestational age due to physiological maternal changes. Although it has been reported that the course of COVID-19 disease was similar to the general population in pregnant women, maternal and fetal death are also seen. Although there are limitations in the treatment of COVID-19 and its complications (favipiravir has not been studied in pregnant women), cytokine filter can buy extra time for hemodynamic and metabolic stabilization.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Informed Consent

The legally authorized representative of the patient has given her consent for the publication of this article.