Respiratory failure & ventilation
Clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients at high altitude
Authors' conclusion
Hyperviscosity, exacerbated by altitude-induced erythrocytosis, is a primary factor associated with mortality in this environment.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with severe ARDS (altitude-adapted criteria) admitted to the ICU in La Paz, Bolivia (3640 m above sea level) with COVID-19
- Participants
- 59 adults
- Exposure
- Non-survivors vs survivors
- Outcome
- Factors associated with mortality
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Hematocrit and D-dimer
| Group | Value | D-dimer (ng/mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Non-survivors | median 53.4% | 29,729 |
| Survivors | median 49.7% | 16,521 |
Value
Non-survivorsmedian 53.4%
Survivorsmedian 49.7%
D-dimer (ng/mL)
Non-survivors29,729
Survivors16,521
- Non-survivors vs Survivors: P = 0.0001 — hematocrit
- Non-survivors vs Survivors: P = 0.0001 — D-dimer
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Initial ventilatory mechanics · comparable
P = 0.81
| Outcome | Non-survivors | Survivors | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| APACHE II admission score"APACHE II paradox" | 17 | 24 | P = 0.01 |
Safety
| Outcome | Non-survivors |
|---|---|
| Complications (pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism) | |
| Pneumothorax | 24.2% |
| Pulmonary embolism | 18.2% |
Complications (pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism)
- Complications exclusive to non-survivors
Original publication
Clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients at high altitude. J Crit Care. Published 10 June 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →