NONINVASIVE MECHANICAL VENTILATION MANAGEMENT AND HACOR SCORE IN ACUTE HYPOXEMIC RESPIRATORY FAILURE INDUCED BY INFLUENZA A (H1N1): A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Influenza is a highly contagious, acute viral infection that affects the respiratory system, and causes global outbreak in humans. It is usually self-limited, may progress to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and eventually leads to acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). The main objective was to describe a case report of careful management of NIV in SARS caused by influenza A H1N1 virus, using the HACOR score. The patient exhibited clinical, radiological and laboratory improvement after 4 days of NIV treatment. She was discharged from ICU after 7 days and from the hospital after 10 days. NIV in AHRF is feasible in well-selected patients. Special attention to ventilator settings should be taken particularly to the expired tidal volume, allowing less hospitalization time, orotracheal intubation complications, and therefore, reducing hospital costs. Under these conditions, the new HACOR score can be very useful to avoid unduly delay of intubation time and increased mortality.