Implications of early respiratory support strategies on disease progression in critical COVID-19: a matched subanalysis of the prospective RISC-19-ICU cohort.

Background: Uncertainty about the optimal respiratory support strategies in critically ill COVID-19 patients is widespread. While the risks and benefits of noninvasive techniques versus early invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) are intensely debated, actual evidence is lacking. We sought to assess the risks and benefits of different respiratory support strategies, employed in intensive care units during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic on intubation and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality rates.

Cardiogenic oscillations in spontaneous breathing airway signal reflect respiratory system mechanics.

Background: Heartbeat-related pressure oscillations appear at the airway opening. We investigated whether these cardiogenic oscillations (COS) - extracted from spontaneous breathing signals - reflect the compliance of the respiratory system.

Methods: Fifteen volunteers breathed spontaneously at normal or reduced chest wall compliance, i.

Do not resuscitate order in a patient with iatrogenic life threatening complications due to a bagatelle.

A patient with a history of metastatic bronchial carcinoma and end stage heart disease was admitted to hospital, after an accidental fall, because of epistaxis requiring nasal tamponade and blood transfusions. On day 2 the patient suffered from acute dyspnoea and finally respiratory and cardiac arrest. The patient was successfully resuscitated despite a do not resuscitate order (DNR order).