Table 1.
Clinical characteristics, main laboratory findings and respiratory parameters of patients at ICU admission
| Age (years) | 60 ± 10 |
| Male, n (%) | 89 (81) |
| Body Mass Index | 29 ± 5 |
| Comorbidities, n (%) | |
| None | 31 (27) |
| Hypertension | 60 (54) |
| Coronary artery disease | 12 (11) |
| Diabetes | 20 (18) |
| Cancer | 5 (4) |
| Chronic pulmonary disease | 7 (6) |
| Chronic kidney disease | 4 (4) |
| Symptoms, n (%) | |
| Fever | 100 (91) |
| Dyspnea | 86 (78) |
| Cough | 62 (56) |
| Gastrointestinal | 6 (5) |
| SOFA | 6 ± 2 |
| SAPS II | 39 ± 11 |
| Respiratory parameters | |
| Crs (ml/cmH2O) | 41 (32–46) |
| PEEP (cmH2O) | 15 (13–16) |
| PaO2/FiO2 | 110 (86–146) |
| PaCO2 (mmHg) | 46 (37–54) |
| Vt/PBW (ml/Kg) | 6.8 (6.3–7.4) |
| dP (cmH2O) | 11 (10–13) |
| Laboratory tests | |
| WBC (103/mcl) | 10.9 ± 6.3 |
| Platelets (103/mcl) | 212 ± 98 |
| Bilirubin (mg/dl) | 1.0 ± 0.8 |
| Creatinine (mg/dl) | 1.1 ± 0.9 |
| Urea (mg/dl) | 60 ± 34 |
| Fibrinogen (mg/dl) | 591 ± 191 |
| CRP (mg/dl) | 21 ± 10 |
Data are presented as mean ± SD. SOFA: Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score. SAPS II: Simplified Acute Physiology Score. Crs: static compliance of respiratory system. PEEP: positive end-expiratory pressure. PaO2/FiO2: ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen. PaCO2: arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure. Vt/PBW: ratio of tidal volume to predicted body weight. dP: driving pressure. WBC: White Blood Cells. CRP: C Reactive Protein