Mechanical respiratory support for COVID-19: lessons from 2020

Abstract

Intensive therapy of out-of-hospital pneumonia in conditions of mass admission of patients during 2020 presented many lessons, including regarding the strategy of respiratory support, as it turned out that mechanical ventilation in passive patients with COVID-19 is almost equivalent to a death sentence. On the other hand, maintaining spontaneous breathing in dyspnea and hyperpnea conditions can cause specific self-inflicted lung injuryUnexpectedly, the good tolerability of hypoxemia by patients has led to the emergence of the terms “happy hypoxia” and “permissive hypoxemia,” reflecting the effective functioning of acute adaptation mechanisms: increasing heart productivity and oxygen utilization.A step-by-step strategy for respiratory therapy was formed: 1) oxygen therapy (low-flow, high-flow), 2) non-invasive respiratory support (NIV), 3) controlled lung ventilation. Among the most effective resources for mobilizing alveoli in patients with COVID-19 was the prone position.Compared to a tight mask, the helmet turned out to be the most effective method of conducting NIV. When using the helmet, bedsores on the face and the bridge of the nose do not develop, enteral nutrition is possible, subjective tolerability of NIV by patients is increased.Conversion to invasive mechanical ventilation is considered in case of energy inadmissibility of spontaneous breathing and development of central nervous system disorders. Breathing equipment with a wide range of ventilation modes and expert capabilities for respiratory monitoring is needed to carry out both mechanical ventilation and especially NIV.If pulmonary gas exchange is not possible, the only means of saving the patient remains extracorporeal membrane oxygenation — a method that requires huge energy costs from trained medical personnel and good technical equipment of the clinic.One of the most visible lessons presented by the pandemic of viral pneumonia is the unsuccessful attempt to speed up the training of “intensive care specialists” through on-line courses, webinars and even guide sheets.