scholarly journals Prolonged non-invasive respiratory support in a COVID-19 patient with severe acute hypoxemic respiratory failure

Author(s):  
Andrea Lanza ◽  
Maurizio Sommariva ◽  
Sara Mariani ◽  
Gabriela Ferreyra ◽  
Giuliana Enrica Stagni ◽  
...  

A pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 was declared in 2020. Severe cases were characterized by the development of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) requiring advanced respiratory support. However, intensive care units (ICU) were saturated, and many patients had to be treated out of ICU. This case describes a 75-year-old man affected by AHRF due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), hospitalized in a high-dependency unit, with PaO2/FiO2 <100 for 28 consecutive days. An experienced team with respiratory physiotherapists was in charge of the noninvasive ventilatory support (NIVS). The patient required permanent NIVS with continuous positive airway pressure, non-invasive ventilation, high flow nasal oxygen and body positioning. He was weaned from NIVS after 37 days and started exercise training afterwards. The patient was discharged at home with low-flow oxygen therapy. This case represents an example of a successful treatment of AHRF with the still controversial noninvasive respiratory support in one patient with COVID-19.

Author(s):  
Federico Lari ◽  
Fabrizio Giostra ◽  
Stefania Guerrini

The use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) during de novo acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is not recommended by the guidelines because NIV does not improve the prognosis. With the advent of the new coronavirus, many cases of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure associated with the infection (severe acute respiratory infection) have been observed: data are missing regarding the use of NIV in this particular clinical condition, but a correct typing of patients based on different clinical, pathophysiological and radiological characteristics, could help in prognostic stratification and in the choice of respiratory support (invasive versus non-invasive). During NIV in these patients particular attention is paid to the possibility of environmental dissemination of the virus and consequently adequate technical precautions are taken.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dejan Radovanovic ◽  
Maurizio Rizzi ◽  
Stefano Pini ◽  
Marina Saad ◽  
Davide Alberto Chiumello ◽  
...  

Since the beginning of March 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused more than 13,000 deaths in Europe, almost 54% of which has occurred in Italy. The Italian healthcare system is experiencing a stressful burden, especially in terms of intensive care assistance. In fact, the main clinical manifestation of COVID-19 patients is represented by an acute hypoxic respiratory failure secondary to bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, that in many cases, results in an acute respiratory distress syndrome and requires an invasive ventilator support. A precocious respiratory support with non-invasive ventilation or high flow oxygen should be avoided to limit the droplets’ air-dispersion and the healthcare workers’ contamination. The application of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) by means of a helmet can represent an effective alternative to recruit diseased alveolar units and improve hypoxemia. It can also limit the room contamination, improve comfort for the patients, and allow for better clinical assistance with long-term tolerability. However, the initiation of a CPAP is not free from pitfalls. It requires a careful titration and monitoring to avoid a delayed intubation. Here, we discuss the rationale and some important considerations about timing, criteria, and monitoring requirements for patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure requiring a CPAP treatment.


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