NON-INVASIVE VENTILATION OF PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 PNEUMONIA

Abstract

Introduction: In difficult clinical scenarios, non-invasive ventilation has become a ubiquitous therapeutic option, providing vital respiratory support without the need for invasive endotracheal intubation. It is necessary to emphasize the importance of researching the use of non-invasive ventilation in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, analyzing its role, effectiveness, and clinical outcomes. The method of non-invasive ventilation began to be used in intensive care units, and its peak of use was in wards during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To present the results of the success of the use of non-invasive ventilation in patients in whom the use of this type of ventilation was required in comparison with the use of oxygen and high-flow oxygen.

Subjects and methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the period between January 2021 and January 2023. 17 patients treated in the COVID ward of KBC Zagreb were included. The collected data is anonymous for research purposes, which means that all data is protected and processed in the BIS (hospital information system) system.

Results: The type of ventilation affected the outcome of treatment, as shown in the following results: patients who received oxygen completed their treatment successfully (75%), while one patient died. Of the 9 patients who received high-flow oxygen therapy, only 4 (44%) survived, and of the 4 patients who received non-invasive ventilation (NIV), one died.

Conclusion: The use of NIV in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia has been shown to be effective. This study showed that patients with comorbidities (hematological disease) very rarely or never died