Management of obese patients with respiratory failure – A practical approach to a health care issue of increasing significance

Abstract

In the general population, prevalence of obesity is increasing continuously. Concomitantly, a growing number of obese patients with severe illnesses presents at intensive care units (ICU). Particularly respiratory management of this patient group poses a challenge to intensive care physicians because of differences in respiratory anatomy and physiology in obese compared to non-obese individuals.Aim of this review is to present treatment options for critically ill obese patients requiring mechanical ventilation based on current studies concerning patient positioning, ventilatory regimen as well as extended therapy with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).The ideal concept for respiratory management depends on multiple aspects and has to be determined individually. Knowledge of altered respiratory anatomy and physiology in obese patients and possible treatment options may facilitate respiratory management in this patient group.