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Controversial treatments: An updated understanding of the coronavirus disease 2019
Author(s) -
Zhang Cantong,
Huang Shaoying,
Zheng Fengping,
Dai Yong
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.25788
Subject(s) - medicine , case fatality rate , extracorporeal membrane oxygenation , ribavirin , intensive care medicine , coronavirus , disease , chloroquine , outbreak , acute respiratory distress , virology , covid-19 , immunology , virus , epidemiology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , lung , malaria , hepatitis c virus
An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome‐related coronavirus 2 infection has posed significant threats to international health and the economy. In the absence of specific treatment for this virus, there is an urgent need to learn from the experience and lessons in China. To reduce the case‐fatality rate among coronavirus disease 2019 patients, we should not ignore the complications, such as RNAaemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multiple organ dysfunction. To help understand the advantages and limitations of differential treatments, we provide a timely review and discuss the complications and corresponding major treatments, especially controversial ones such as antiviral therapy (remdesivir, ribavirin, and chloroquine), glucocorticoid therapy, extracorporeal support including an artificial liver system, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation based on available evidence. As a result, we suggest that antiviral therapy and organ function support are vital to reduce mortality for mild patients and critical patients, respectively.