Second Update for Anaesthetists on Clinical Features of COVID-19 Patients and Relevant Management

• Main Authors: Robert P. Weenink, Benedikt Preckel, Abraham H. Hulst, Jeroen Hermanides, Menno D. de Jong, Wolfgang S. Schlack, Markus F. Stevens, Nicolaas H. Sperna Weiland, Markus W. Hollmann
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-08-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical Medicine
• Subjects: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; perioperative care; antiviral agents; angiotensin converting enzyme 2; patient-to-professional infectious disease transmission
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/8/2542
• ISSN: 2077-0383

The COVID-19 pandemic poses great challenges for healthcare workers around the world, including perioperative specialists. Previously, we provided a first overview of available literature on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, relevant for anaesthetists and intensivists. In the current review, we provide an update of this topic, after a literature search current through May 2020. We discuss the evidence on perioperative risk for COVID-19 patients presenting for surgery, the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the operating room, and the current literature on laboratory diagnostics. Furthermore, cardiovascular and nervous system involvement in COVID-19 are discussed, as well as considerations in diabetic patients. Lastly, the latest evidence on pharmacological treatment is summarised.