Acute respiratory failure
ICD-10 J96.0 · ICD-11 CB41.0Z

Treatment of Acute Respiratory Failure in COVID-19

COVID-19 is a recognised major cause of acute respiratory failure (ARF) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Managing these patients requires a structured, evidence-informed approach that accounts for the viral aetiology.

Clinical scenario

A patient with confirmed COVID-19 presenting with acute respiratory failure. Since early 2020, COVID-19 has become a leading driver of ARF and ARDS, making it a distinct and clinically significant sub-population within this diagnosis.

Management approach (partial overview)

The approach follows standard ventilatory management principles for ARF and ARDS, with specific additional considerations for non-intubated COVID-19 patients — including positioning strategies that may reduce the need for escalation.

Full regimen, sequencing, and clinical criteria available in the complete protocol.

References

DOI: 10.1186/s40560-023-00658-3

Since early 2020, novel coronavirus-induced disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major cause of ARF and ARDS.

These findings indicate that the management of ARF and ARDS in patients with COVID-19 should be the same as for other causes.

In addition to standard ventilatory management, the benefits of awake prone positioning for non-intubated patients have been posited and examined.

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