Radovanovic D, Rizzi M, Pini S, Saad M, Chiumello DA, Santus P. J Clin Med. 2020;9(4):1191
The author of this research study proposes a management strategy for the treatment of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in patients with COVID-19. Respiratory support with NIV or high flow oxygen should be avoided to limit droplets/virus aerosolisation and healthcare worker contamination. Therefore, the implementation of CPAP through a helmet system may provide an effective and safer alternative to improve hypoxemia. In addition, the use of the helmet will also reduce room contamination and improve patient comfort, while guaranteeing better clinical assistance and long term tolerability. However, careful CPAP titration must be provided to better optimise the recruitment of unventilated lung sections to improve patient outcomes.
Lucchini A, Giani M, Isgrò S, Rona R, Foti G. Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 2020;58:102859
The COVID-19 outbreak represents a new challenge for intensive care teams, and of particular importance is the limitation of virus aerosolisation during intubation, bronchoscopy and non-invasive ventilation. As a result, the use of helmet ventilation has been suggested for CPAP and pressure support ventilation to reduce the spread of the virus. This letter suggests a helmet CPAP bundle to improve the patient’s comfort during extended applications by reducing the noise with an HME filter, using counterweights attached to armpit straps to avoid discomfort , as well as implementing active humidification.
Link to abstract.