Investigating the Role of Biomarkers in Predicting Outcome for COVID 19

Emergent experimental and anecdotal evidence has indicated that critically ill COVID-19 patients demonstrate two patient sub-types (called phenotypes). In one group the disease progresses slowly and patients have a low potential of developing mild respiratory failure, but in the other group, an exaggerated immune response (hyper-inflammation/cytokine storm) may be linked to the onset of precipitous respiratory failure, termed acute respiratory distress syndrome. This syndrome is responsible for a large portion of COVID-19 associated mortality. Thus, determining links between hyper-inflammation and acute respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19 patients is of immediate importance. Blood samples will undergo a number of analyses to help us to understand as much as possible about COVID-19. We will also study any differences in physiologic and cytokine levels before and after patients are treated with immunomodulatory therapies as part of clinical care in COVID-19 patients.