Treatment of Unspecified Respiratory Failure in COVID-19

A proportion of patients with COVID-19 develop acute respiratory failure (ARF) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This protocol addresses the management of unspecified respiratory failure arising in that specific clinical setting.

Clinical Scenario

A certain proportion of patients with COVID-19 develop ARF and ARDS depending on patient age, comorbidities, immune status, and SARS-CoV-2 virus genotype, among other factors. This protocol targets that population.

Treatment Approach — Partial Overview

Management is centred on ventilatory support, with mechanical ventilation parameters individualised to each patient's ventilatory and systemic condition. Specific positioning strategies may be considered for eligible non-intubated patients. Pharmacological therapies are incorporated in line with COVID-19-specific guidance. The complete, structured regimen — including the full decision algorithm — is available in the full protocol.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

DOI: 10.1186/s40560-023-00658-3

A certain proportion of patients with COVID-19 develop ARF and ARDS depending on patient age, comorbidities, immune status, and SARS-CoV-2 virus genotype among other factors.
These findings indicate that the management of ARF and ARDS in patients with COVID-19 should be the same as for other causes.
However, parameters of mechanical ventilation, including PEEP, should be individualized based on the ventilatory and systemic condition of individual patients.
In addition to standard ventilatory management, the benefits of awake prone positioning for non-intubated patients have been posited and examined.
Pharmacological therapies, including corticosteroids, should be administered according to the guidelines and statements specific to COVID-19.

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