Ebola virus disease
ICD-10 A98.4 · ICD-11 1D60.0

Ebola Virus Disease with Hypoxic Respiratory Failure: What to Do When Oxygen Therapy Has Not Achieved Target SpO2

Clinical Scenario

This protocol addresses patients with Ebola virus disease who have hypoxaemia (SpO2 < 92%) or hypoxic respiratory failure. The therapeutic target is restoration of peripheral oxygen saturation to a safe level.

When hypoxaemia is present, underlying pulmonary causes should be considered — such as volume overload, secondary bacterial pneumonia, or other complicating conditions affecting the lungs.

Escalation Trigger

When Initial Oxygen Therapy Has Not Worked

The first-line approach to hypoxic respiratory failure in Ebola virus disease is oxygen therapy — delivered by face mask or nasal cannula — titrated to reach the target saturation. When that target is not achieved despite adequate oxygen delivery, escalation to this protocol is indicated.

Target not met: SpO2 > 94%
Next-Step Approach

Treatment Direction

When severe hypoxaemia persists despite oxygen therapy, the structured protocol moves to respiratory support modalities that go beyond conventional oxygen delivery. The full regimen specifies which modalities to consider, in what order, and under what conditions.

Clinical goal: SpO2 > 94%
Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

  1. When hypoxaemia is present, then a pulmonary condition should be considered, such as volume overload/pulmonary oedema from congestive heart failure or renal failure, secondary bacterial pneumonia, haemothorax or bronchospasm from anaphylaxis.
  2. If severe hypoxaemia persists, then consider continuous positive airway pressure or high flow oxygen systems.
  3. Titrate to lowest flow rate necessary to reach target SpO2 > 94%.
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