Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the study population
|  | Iloprost (n = 23) | Control (n = 22) |
|---|---|---|
Demographic variables | ||
 Age, years | 62 (53–68) | 60 (54–69) |
 Male, n (%) | 15 (65.2) | 17 (77.3) |
 Caucasian, n (%) | 23 (100) | 22 (100) |
Anthropometric measures and risk factors | ||
 Smokers, n (%) | 8 (34.8) | 10 (45.5) |
 BMI, kg/m2 | 31.0 (28.0–34.8) | 32.0 (26.5–39.6) |
Medical history | ||
 Cardiovascular disease, n (%) | 8 (34.8) | 9 (40.9) |
 Chronic lung disease, n (%) | 0 (0) | 1 (4.5) |
 Diabetes mellitus, n (%) | 6 (26.1) | 7 (31.8) |
 Chronic kidney disease, n (%) | 3 (13.0) | 1 (4.5) |
Clinical variables | ||
 Cough, n (%) | 21 (91.3) | 21 (95.4) |
 Dyspnea, n (%) | 21 (91.3) | 19 (86.4) |
 Fever, n (%) | 19 (82.6) | 18 (81.8) |
 Borg dyspnea scale | 6 (5–8) | 5 (2–8) |
Laboratory tests | ||
 WBC, 109/L | 5.9 (5.1–8.8) | 6.8 (5.2–8.3) |
 C-reactive protein, mg/L | 131 (102–190) | 128 (89–186) |
 D-dimer, µg/mL | 2.9 (1.9–3.8) | 3.5 (1.9–4.6) |
Blood gases | ||
 PaO2, mmHg | 65.8 (55.1–78.1) | 62.0 (49.0–77.7) |
 PaCO2, mmHg | 32.0 (29.2–35.0) | 28.8 (23.8–32.7) |
 SpO2, % | 89 (88–90) | 90 (87–93) |
 PaO2/FiO2, mmHg | 131 (120–138) | 130 (114–168) |
Computed tomography | ||
 CT severity scale, 0/1/2/3/4, n (%) | 0 (0)/0 (0)/7 (30.4)/9 (39.1)/7 (30.4) | 0 (0)/0 (0)/5 (22.7)/14 (63.6)/3 (13.6) |
Medications | ||
 Vasopressors, n (%) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
 Corticosteroids, n (%) | 15 (65.2) | 17 (77.3) |
 Hydroxychloroquine, n (%) | 21 (91.3) | 19 (86.4) |
 Azithromycin, n (%) | 21 (91.3) | 19 (86.4) |
Respiratory support | ||
 Supplemental oxygen, n (%) | 16 (69.6) | 14 (63.6) |
 CPAP, n (%) | 7 (30.4) | 8 (36.4) |