EFFECT OF TOCILIZUMAB IN MORTALITY AMONG PATIENTS WITH SEVERE AND CRITICAL COVID-19: EXPERIENCE IN A THIRD-LEVEL MEDICAL CENTER

The lack of effective treatment options to reduce COVID-19 associated mortality, disease progression, and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) remains a problem. Severe forms of COVID-19 are associated with an increased systemic inflammation and elevation of markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-Dimer, ferritin, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and TNF-α^1,2. Since the first descriptions of COVID-19, anti-inflammatory therapies have been explored. The RECOVERY trial demonstrated a mortality reduction with dexamethasone in hypoxic patients³. Numerous anti-inflammatory therapies and immunomodulating agents have been proposed to treat severe forms of COVID-19⁴.

Matéria original