Peripheral and Organ Perfusion’s Role in Prognosis of Disease Severity and Mortality in Severe COVID-19 Patients: Prospective Cohort Study

Severe COVID-19 is associated with a generalized inflammatory response leading to peripheral and organ perfusion disorders. <b>Objectives</b>: This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of peripheral and organ perfusion assessments in the prediction of prognosis and mortality in patients with severe COVID-19. <b>Patients and Methods</b>: In the first 48 h of hospitalization, peripheral perfusion (saturation, Finger Infrared Thermography-FIT; Capillary Refill Time-CRT), and the color Doppler renal cortex perfusion (RCP) were estimated in a group of 102 severe COVID-19 patients. <b>Results</b>: In total, 40 patients experienced deterioration and required intensification of oxygen treatment, and 24 finally died. In comparison with a stable course of the disease, patients with deterioration had initially higher WBC, CRP, AST, LDH, and CRT, but a lower oxygenation ratio and RCP. Deceased patients were older, had higher CRP, LDH, and CRT, but lower hemoglobin, oxygenation ratio, and RCP compared to survivors. In the multivariable regression analysis from perfusion parameters, only RCP and CRT were independently linked with deterioration (OR 0.002, <i>p</i> < 0.001; OR 1.825, <i>p</i> = 0.003, respectively) and death (OR 0.001, <i>p</i> = 0.004; OR 1.910, <i>p</i> = 0.003, respectively). <b>Conclusions</b>: Initial assessment of peripheral and organ perfusion can be helpful in identifying hospitalized severe COVID-19 patients with a higher risk of deterioration and death. Capillary Refill Time and Renal Cortical Perfusion were prognostic markers of deterioration or death. On the other hand, Finger Infrared Thermography and saturation were not statistically significant in predicting patient outcome. An RCP cut-off value below 0.127 and 0.112 [cm/s] and a Capillary Refill Time longer than 3.25 and 4.25 [s] indicate the risk of deterioration or death, respectively.