An experimental treatment seems to increase the chances of survival of critically ill corona patients in intensive care. The Zuyderland Medical Center reports this Tuesday after a trial in the Limburg hospital.
The hospital in Sittard-Geleen participated in a worldwide study into a serious reaction that the coronavirus can cause in the body, a so-called cytokine storm. In addition, the immune system goes crazy. About a quarter of corona patients on the ICU experience such an overreaction, which is often fatal.
Mortality probability dropped considerably
During the trial in the Zuyderland, 86 corona patients with a cytokine storm were treated with glucocorticoids, possibly supported by another drug. These are medicines that suppress the immune system. The results of the experimental treatment were then compared with those of a group of 86 patients who received regular treatment.
The results of the study were announced on Tuesday by the EULAR, an international medical organization normally engaged in research on rheumatism. This shows that treatment with glucocorticoids reduces the risk of dying seriously ill corona patients by 65 percent.
Before the new method was introduced, nearly half of the patients with a runaway immune system died. With the new treatment, that was still 20 percent. “We have saved six lives for every hundred corona patients,” said chairman David Jongen of the Zuyderland.
Cheap medicine
Also, the risk of having patients on ventilation decreases by 71 percent when they are given the immunosuppressive drugs. The experimental treatment also has a positive effect on the recovery of corona patients: the chance of improving lung function is 79 percent greater than with normal treatment.
According to the Zuyderland Medical Center, the new treatment could potentially prevent tens of thousands of corona deaths worldwide, including in countries where the corona crisis does not seem to have peaked yet. Glucocorticoids are cheap, emphasizes the Limburg hospital, and is widely available all over the world.
Nevertheless, pulmonologist Rémy Mostard warns that the method is not the solution for corona. “It limits the damage, but does not fix corona.” The new treatment is being used in people who suddenly have a change in their illness after seven to ten days and who deteriorate very quickly as a result of the cytokine storm.
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