Mohamed Bahi MD, Younes Aissaoui MD, Ayoub Belhadj MD, Youssef Qamouss MD, Rachid Seddiki MD
Corresponding author: Mohamed Bahi
Contact Information: Bahi.mohamed11@gmail.com
DOI: 10.12746/swrccc.v9i40.875
Acquired neuromuscular weakness often develops in patients with an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), in particular in patients who are ventilated and sedated for long periods. This has been rarely described in the literature on ARDS secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our clinical case revealed the existence of these neuromuscular manifestations in the COVID-19 disease after the use of hydroxyzine, an antihistamine whose respiratory side-effects are unknown.
Keywords: Neuromuscular weakness, COVID-19, hydroxyzine, hypercapnia.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected many patients by causing severe respiratory infection. However, the literature regarding neuromuscular complications with these infections is scant. This clinical case highlights these complications, in particular acquired neuromuscular weakness in intensive care, in a case in which the diagnosis was triggered by hydroxyzine, a drug with rare respiratory side-effects.
A 59-year-old patient with no medical history was admitted with acute respiratory distress. These symptoms started five days prior to presentation with the appearance of fever, generalized arthralgias and myalgias, and cough. Given the clinical probability of SARS-CoV2-severe interstitial lung disease, viral testing by RT-PCR on a nasopharyngeal swab was performed and was positive. Thoracic x-ray revealed a bilateral interstitial syndrome (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Bilateral interstitial syndrome.
Thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan documented ground glass opacities with crazy paving classified as CO-RADS 5 (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Thoracic CT scan with ground glass opacities and crazy paving classified as CO-RADS 5.
The initial treatment consisted of a high concentration oxygen therapy by mask with a 92% oxygen saturation target and a chloroquine and azithromycin protocol (500 mg of chloroquine twice a day for 10 days and azithromycin 500 mg on Day1 then 250 mg from Day 2 to Day 7). His course was marked by increasing symptoms despite the use of noninvasive ventilation with significant hypoxemia on arterial blood gases (ABG) (PaO2 at 45 mmHg with PaO2 / FiO2 at 75) and the extension of ground glass areas with posterior and basal condensations on CT scan (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Thoracic CT scan with extension of ground glass areas with posterior and basal condensations.
Given this course, the patient was intubated, ventilated, and sedated on day 12 of his admission with continuous rocuronium paralysis for the first 24 hours and administration of dexamethasone 6 mg per day for 10 days. After 5 sessions of 18 hours per day prone positioning, there was improvement in hypoxemia (PaO2 from 77 to 87 mmHg with PaO2 / FiO2 from 128 to 217). Follow-up thoracic CT noted stabilization of ground glass images with regression of the initial condensations.
The patient was extubated on day 17. He remained tachypneic with a respiratory rate of 38 breaths per minute on 10 L/min of oxygen. On day 21, hydroxyzine 1 mg/kg/day was administered due to the persistence of nocturnal insomnia. On day 23, his course was marked by the occurrence of hypercapnia at PaCO2 77 mmHg and then at 90 mmHg and paradoxically a respiratory improvement with a decrease in respiratory rate to 25 breaths per minute and a PaO2 at 91 mmHg with PaO2 / FiO2 at 225. The patient had daytime sleepiness with fatigue and heavy sweating. An interruption of the administration of hydroxyzine was decided.
Given this hypercapnic respiratory failure, an electroneuromyographic (ENMG) study was performed to evaluate him for acquired neuromuscular weakness and demonstrated an ENMG pattern of motor axonal neuropathy with diaphragmatic involvement. Spontaneous evolution was marked by a decrease in hypercapnia to 69, 62, and then 52 mmHg on ABG and gradual withdrawal from oxygen with respiratory improvement. After an early period of rehabilitation and locomotor physiotherapy, the patient was discharged on day 35 with home oxygen therapy.
Growing evidence suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has neuroinvasive potential, like other coronaviruses. One study from COVID-19 designated hospitals in Wuhan, China, demonstrated that more than one-third of Coronavirus patients presented with neuromuscular syndromes, including evidence of skeletal muscle damage.1 A systematic literature search from December 01, 2019, to May 14, 2020, identified 82 cases of COVID-19 with neurological complications, and 28% had neuromuscular disorders (NMD).2
Prolonged use of non-depolarizing paralytics is strongly associated with the development of acquired muscular weaknesses in intensive care. Indeed, weakness related to type 2 muscle fiber atrophy from disuse typically presents after 1 week in ill patients who are bedridden and therefore will be a consideration in patients with COVID-19.3,4
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have also been mentioned as possible treatment for COVD-19. They have also been associated with new-onset or worsening myasthenia gravis and are typically used with caution in this patient group.5,6 Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic used with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19, may also cause worsening of myasthenia gravis.7
Hydroxyzine hydrochloride is a minor tranquilizer that is widely used as a premedication for sedation to reduce preoperative anxiety without respiratory depression. However, a few studies have shown a slight but significant respiratory depressant effect of hydroxyzine given intramuscularly. Lauria et al. studied the respiratory effects of hydroxyzine and concluded that the response to elevated endogenous carbon dioxide was variable and inconsistent,8 a fact that we noticed in our patient who developed significant hypercapnia, due mainly to his acquired neuromuscular weakness. However, there is not enough evidence regarding its effects in COVID-19 patients.
Acquired neuromuscular weaknesses has been infrequently detected in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to infection with SARS-CoV-2. In this case, the use of hydroxyzine, a drug with little or no known respiratory effects, triggered the presentation of weakness with acute hypercapneic respiratory failure. More studies to determine the respiratory effects of this drug and to characterize neuromuscular disorders in COVID-19 are needed.
Article citation: Bahi M, Aissaoui Y, Belhadj A, Qamouss Y, Seddiki R. Hydroxyzine revealing acquired neuromuscular weakness in a patient with COVID-19 disease. The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles 2021;9(40):74–76
From: Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Avicenne Military Hospital, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco
Submitted: 5/15/2021
Accepted: 6/22/2021
Reviewer: Kenneth Nugent MD
Conflicts of interest: none
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