Tocilizumab as a Therapeutic Agent for Critically Ill Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2

https://doi.org/10.1111/cts.12894

This was a multi-center study with data collected by chart review both retrospectively and concurrently.  145 patients were evaluated. The average age was 58.1 years, 64% were male, 68.3% had comorbidities, and 60% received steroid therapy. Disposition of patients was 48.3% discharged and 29.3% expired, of which 43.9% were African American. Mechanical ventilation was required in 55.9%, of which 34.5% expired. Avoidance of MV (p value = 0.002) and increased survival (p value < 0.001) was statistically associated with early dosing. Tocilizumab therapy was effective at decreasing mortality and should be instituted early in the management of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

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