Intubation and Ventilation amid the COVID-19 Outbreak: Wuhan's Experience. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meng, Lingzhong; Qiu, Haibo; Wan, Li; Ai, Yuhang; Xue, Zhanggang; Guo, Qulian; Deshpande, Ranjit; Zhang, Lina; Meng, Jie; Tong, Chuanyao; Liu, Hong; Xiong, Lize
• Is Part Of: Anesthesiology. Volume 132:Number 6(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Anesthesiology -- Periodicals; Anesthetics -- Periodicals; Anesthesia -- Periodicals; 617.9605
• DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000003296
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-3022

Abstract

Abstract : The COVID-19 outbreak has led to 80, 409 diagnosed cases and 3, 012 deaths in mainland China based on the data released on March 4, 2020. Approximately 3.2% of patients with COVID-19 required intubation and invasive ventilation at some point in the disease course. Providing best practices regarding intubation and ventilation for an overwhelming number of patients with COVID-19 amid an enhanced risk of cross-infection is a daunting undertaking. The authors presented the experience of caring for the critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan. It is extremely important to follow strict self-protection precautions. Timely, but not premature, intubation is crucial to counter a progressively enlarging oxygen debt despite high-flow oxygen therapy and bilevel positive airway pressure ventilation. Thorough preparation, satisfactory preoxygenation, modified rapid sequence induction, and rapid intubation using a video laryngoscope are widely used intubation strategies in Wuhan. Lung-protective ventilation, prone position ventilation, and adequate sedation and analgesia are essential components of ventilation management. Abstract : The authors summarize the experience of managing intubation and ventilation for critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan. Anesthesiologists and intensivists are mandated to provide the best practices while following strict self-protection precautions.Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.