Summary of the Results for Four Cases
SPT for SOP with respiratory failure due to COVID-19 was administered to
four patients (three males, one female). The median age was 64.5 years
(43–77). The comorbidities were hypertension in three cases, history of
smoking in two cases, and bronchial asthma, emphysema in one case. The
median time to diagnosis, respiratory failure, or intubation was 10.5
days (6–11), 9.5 days (8–12), or 12 days (10–23), respectively. The
median findings of body temperature, lymphocyte, LDH, and C-reactive
protein on intubation were 38.5 degrees Celsius (36.8–38.6), 393.5/µl
(219–1227), 442.5IU/l (364–599), and 15.7mg/dl (12.8–35.8),
respectively. LPV/r, HCQ, favipiravir, and ciclesonide which are
currently expected to have an antiviral effect were administered on day
10.5 (8–19) (median, range). IVIG and antibiotics were administered in
all cases. PPT was performed in three cases. Low-dose corticosteroids
were administered in all cases around the timing of intubation. SPT
improved P/F, LDH, and CT findings in all cases in spite of bimodal
worseness after intubation (Figure 1. , Figure 2. ). The
median duration of systemic corticosteroid, intubation, ICU stay, and
negative conversion of RT-PCR was 26 days (13–37), 9.5 days (8–12), 11
days (9–17), and 35 days (24–51), respectively. All cases succeeded in
withdrawing from oxygen therapy, but one patient coexisted disuse
symptom. No other adverse events were observed.