Summarized experiences: New findings on ventilation of corona patients
Although many infections with the new corona virus only lead to slight or no symptoms, there are also serious illnesses. Many people have to be treated intensively and need artificial ventilation. Despite such treatments, the condition worsens in some patients. Now there are new insights into why this is the case.
A scientific report was recently published that showed a high death rate among COVID-19 patients who needed mechanical ventilation. Experts have now summarized the latest findings on ventilation for coronavirus patients.
The meaning of artificial ventilation is discussed
Research has shown that Germany is the safest country in Europe in relation to the corona pandemic. This also has to do with the fact that the treatment of COVID-19 patients is considered to be particularly efficient in Germany.
In addition, it is repeatedly stressed that the German intensive care units are not (yet) overloaded and that there are enough ventilators available. This is important because people who have severe courses of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, often need artificial respiration.
However, there are indications from other countries that many of these patients are dying, which is why some experts are discussing the benefits of artificial ventilation.
Worldwide data summarized
The internationally recognized expert for severe lung diseases at the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), Prof. Dr. Luciano Gattinoni and Prof. John J. Marini from the University of Minnesota / USA have now summarized, in a “Clinical Update”, the global experience and data available so far on the effectiveness and (impact) of ventilation in COVID-19 patients .
As the UMG writes in a current announcement, the two scientists are among the best-known experts in intensive care, pulmonary physiology and pathophysiology and mechanical ventilation.
The “Clinical Update” was published in the renowned journal “Journal of the American Medical Association” (JAMA).
Why the health status of some ventilators deteriorated
Prof. Dr. Luciano Gattinoni, who currently heads the working group “Acute Lung Failure” at the Clinic for Anaesthesiology at the University Medical Center Göttingen, and his co-author shed light on some special features of the lung damage caused by COVID-19 in the publication.
Among other things, the two experts investigated why the health status of some of the ventilated COVID-19 patients worsened rather than improved.
The scientists found evidence of the underlying mechanism by which the lungs are damaged. According to recent data from Italian clinics, the lung in COVID-19 sufferers is not as mechanically impaired in the initial phase as in other forms of severe, acute pneumonia.
Standard therapy is not recommended
Because significantly less fluid accumulates in the lungs in the first phase of the disease than is the case with “classic” pneumonia, the authors say that it remains stretchy and elastic for an unusually long time.
For this reason, the experts do not recommend standard therapy with early intubation and intensive ventilation, as is otherwise used for severe pneumonia.
If COVID-19 patients experience severe shortness of breath, they recommend that the lung be given time to heal and recover by appropriate support for gas exchange and breathing, adapted to the various stages of the disease . (ad)
Important NOTE:
This article contains general information only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
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