Successful outcome using Tocilizumab in COVID-19 pneumonia with respiratory failure on a ward level

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Published Mar 30, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22551/2022.34.0901.10200
Bianca Codrina Morarasu Ahmad Basirat Minesh Kooblall Stephen Lane

Abstract

We describe the case of a 40-year-old man of Asian ethnicity, who presented with one week history of shortness of breath, productive cough, intermittent hemoptysis, temperature, and systemic symptoms. He had a positive nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2, standard COVID panel admission blood tests, a chest X-ray and a CT Pulmonary Angiogram. Significant bilateral infiltrates and no pulmonary embolism were identified. The patient received standard COVID-19 treatment. After 36 hours, he deteriorated requiring initiation of non-invasive ventilatory (NIV) support. In the context of worsening clinical status, the patient received Tocilizumab as a single dose with good clinical response. Early Tocilizumab intervention in appropriately selected patients should improve the outcome and length of hospitalization in COVID-19 pneumonia. It can be used as an intensive therapy unit sparing agent allowing management of critically ill patients on a ward-based level. This may further contribute to prevention of intensive therapy unit related complications and increased mortality.

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Keywords

COVID-19 pneumonitis, Tocilizumab, respiratory failure

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How to Cite
Morarasu, B. C., Basirat, A., Kooblall, M., & Lane, S. (2022). Successful outcome using Tocilizumab in COVID-19 pneumonia with respiratory failure on a ward level. Archive of Clinical Cases, 9(1), Arch Clin Cases 2022; 9(1):29-33. https://doi.org/10.22551/2022.34.0901.10200
Issue
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2022)
Section
Case Reports

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How to Cite

Morarasu, B. C., Basirat, A., Kooblall, M., & Lane, S. (2022). Successful outcome using Tocilizumab in COVID-19 pneumonia with respiratory failure on a ward level. Archive of Clinical Cases, 9(1), Arch Clin Cases 2022; 9(1):29-33. https://doi.org/10.22551/2022.34.0901.10200