Individualized ventilatory management in patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract

Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the number of coronavirus disease 2019-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome is rapidly increasing. The heterogeneity of coronavirus disease 2019-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome contributes to the complexity of managing patients. Here we described two patients with coronavirus disease 2019-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome showing that the bedside physiological approach including careful evaluation of respiratory system mechanics and visualization of ventilation with electrical impedance tomography was useful to individualize ventilatory management.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• ARDS
• Mechanical ventilation
• PEEP
• EIT