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During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there was a marked requirement for critical care beds, supplies and trained professionals to assist patients with severe respiratory failure. The Argentine Society of Intensive Care (SATI) designed a study to characterize these aspects in intensive care units (ICUs). Multicenter, prospective cohort study; the participating ICUs completed a form at the end of the study (31/10/2020) on hospital characteristics, number of beds in pre- and intra-pandemic critical areas, incorporation of professionals, technological resources, and workload. Fifty-eight ICUs participated; 28(48%) were located in Buenos Aires Province, 22(38%) in Buenos Aires Autonomous City and 10 (17%) in other provinces; 31 (53%) of UCIs belonged to the public sector; 23 (47%) to the private-social security. In 35/58 (60%) of the hospitals critical care beds increased from 902 to 1575 (75%), 37% in ICU and 63% mainly in Coronary Care Unit and Emergency-shock room. In 41/55 (75%) UCIs, staff were incorporated: 27(49%) physicians (70% intensivists), 36 (65%) nurses, 28 (51%) respiratory therapists, 20(36%) cleaning staff, and 1(2%) others. A 96% of the ICUS reported having sufficient ventilators and 95% enough supplies and PPE. Of all patients on invasive mechanical ventilation, 55% [43-64] had COVID-19. Oxygen therapy was required as noninvasive support in 14% [8-24] of COVID-19 admissions. There was a significant expansion of critical operational areas, secondary to the increase in beds, staff, and adequate availability of ventilators and essential supplies. The burden of critical illness from COVID-19 was intense, with more than half of patients on mechanical ventilation.Durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 hubo un marcado requerimiento de camas de cuidados críticos, insumos y profesionales entrenados para asistir a pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria grave. La Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva (SATI) diseñó un estudio para caracterizar estos aspectos en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCIs). Estudio multicéntrico, de cohorte prospectiva; las UCIs participantes completaron un formulario al final del estudio (31/10/2020) sobre características hospitalarias, número de camas de áreas críticas pre- e intra-pandemia, incorporación de profesionales, insumos y recursos tecnológicos, y carga de trabajo. Participaron 58 UCIs; 28(48%) de Provincia de Buenos Aires, 22(38%) de Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, 10(17%) de otras; 31(53%) UCIs pertenecían al sector público; 23(47%) al privado-seguridad social. En 35/58(60%) hospitales las camas de cuidados críticos aumentaron de 902 a 1575(75%); 37% en UCI y 63% principalmente en Unidad Coronaria y Emergencias-shock room. En 41/55(75%) UCIs se incorporó personal: 27(49%) médicos/as (70% intensivistas), 36(65%) enfermeros/as, 28(51%) kinesiólogos/as, 20(36%) personal de limpieza, y 1(2%) otros/as; 96% de las UCIS reportaron disponer de respiradores suficientes, y 95%, insumos y EPP suficientes. De todos los pacientes en ventilación mecánica invasiva, 55% [43-64] presentaron COVID-19. Se requirió oxigenoterapia como soporte no invasivo en 14% [8-24] de los ingresos por COVID-19. Se registró una importante expansión de las áreas críticas operativas, secundariamente al aumento de camas, personal, y adecuada disponibilidad de respiradores e insumos esenciales. La carga de la enfermedad crítica por COVID-19 fue intensa, constituyendo más de la mitad de los pacientes en ventilación mecánica.

To identify determinants of oxygenation over time in patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); and to analyze their characteristics according to Berlin definition categories.Prospective cohort study including consecutive mechanically ventilated patients admitted between 3/20/2020-10/31/2020 with ARDS. Epidemiological and clinical data on admission; outcomes; ventilation, respiratory mechanics and oxygenation variables were registered on days 1, 3 and 7 for the entire population and for ARDS categories.1525 patients aged 61 ± 13, 69% male, met ARDS criteria; most frequent comorbidities were obesity, hypertension, diabetes and respiratory disease. On admission, 331(21%), 849(56%) and 345(23%) patients had mild, moderate and severe ARDS; all received lung-protective ventilation (mean tidal volumes between 6.3 and 6.7 mL/kg PBW) and intermediate PEEP levels (10-11 cmHHypoxemia in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS is associated with comorbidities, deadspace and activated coagulation markers, and disease severity-reflected by the PEEP level required.