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.