Post‐intubation hypotension risk factors in patients with COVID‐19 undergoing endotracheal intubation in the emergency department: A prospective observational study

Abstract Introduction Acute respiratory distress syndrome, a severe manifestation of COVID‐19, prompts the critical intervention of endotracheal intubation (ETI). However, ETI is associated with complications, notably post‐intubation hypotension (PIH), linked to an increased adverse prognosis. Our purpose was to investigate risk factors for PIH in COVID‐19 patients in the emergency department (ED). Methods This observational study was conducted at the Afzalipour Hospital, Iran. Adult COVID‐19 patients undergoing ETI were included, with data collected on demographic variables, medical history, and hemodynamic parameters. PIH was defined as the occurrence of any of the following: reduction of systolic blood pressure (SBP) to 90 mmHg or less; reduction of mean arterial pressure (MAP) to 65 mmHg or less; reduction of SBP by at least 20% of the initial value; or the need for vasopressor support during the 30 min after intubation. Results Among 145 patients, the mortality rate was 82.7%, and PIH occured in 22.7%. Univariate analysis revealed associations between PIH and initial SBP (SBP‐0) and initial MAP. Multivariable regression revealed that each 1 mmHg decrease in SBP‐0 increased the risk of PIH by 5%. Patients with SBP‐0 of less than 116 mmHg had a PIH odds ratio of 4.1. A history of hypertension (HTN) or ischemic heart disease (IHD) increased the likelihood of PIH sixfold. The receiver operating characteristic curves for SBP‐0 had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.67 (95% CI: 0.54–0.79), lower than the AUC of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.64–0.86) for the model incorporating SBP‐0, history of HTN or IHD, and total severity score. Despite this, the Z score comparing the AUCs of SBP‐0 and the multivariable model did not indicate a statistically significant difference. Conclusions History of HTN or IHD, as well as low SBP‐0, are independently associated with an increased risk of PIH in COVID‐19 patients.