LAUSR

Introduction Coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) infection occurs through the receptor's angiotensin converting enzyme 2, present in the pulmonary, biliary, and hepatic epithelial cells. Therefore, the liver is a potential target for infection. Objectives To analyze liver changes resulting from Sars-Cov-2 infection in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Rondônia Tropical Medicine Center (CEMETRON). Methods Patients admitted between April and August 2020 in the CEMETRON ICU were included in the study. Project approved by the Research Ethics Committee. For statistical analysis, the SPSS® program was used. Results 307 patients were admitted to the CEMETRON ICU. 81 (26.4%) non-COVID and 226 (73.6%) diagnosed with COVID. Among the 226 tested positive for COVID, 52.3% and 54.3% had, respectively, an increase in ALT and AST up to three times the upper limit of normal (40-120U/L). Non-COVID patients showed this increase in 20.8% for ALT and 33.3% for AST, being statistically significant (p: <0.005 for both). Transaminases above 120U/L had no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Regarding liver function assessed through bilirubin, albumin and platelets, there was no statistically significant difference in any of the variables (p: 0.93 p: 0.45 p: 0.599 respectively). The means varied within the normal range, except for both groups there was a tendency towards hypoalbuminemia (3.1 g / dL). Conclusion Patients with COVID evolved in more than 50% of the cases with changes in liver enzymes, showing that despite the inflammation, liver function was not directly affected. We associate hypoalbuminemia more with basal malnutrition than with hepatic impairment.