Intensive Care Unit Management of the COVID-19

Coronavirus disease of 2019 is the public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). COVID-19 leads to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in some patients. The management of acute respiratory distress syndrome in such patients involves non-invasive and invasive ventilation techniques. The non-invasive ventilation techniques must be employed first before initiating invasive mechanical ventilation techniques. High Flow Nasal cannula, Bi-level Positive Air Pressure (BiPAP) and Helmet ventilation are the non-invasive techniques that are employed in the management of COVID-19 related acute respiratory syndrome. The hazard of aerosol transmission of the virus to the Healthcare and paramedical staff must be taken into consideration before using any of these non-invasive techniques. The burden on hospital ventilatory equipment can also be appeased when non-invasive techniques are utilized. Early intubation of the patient must be avoided if possible. The clinical presentation of the patient and the vital signs like oxygen saturation and respiratory rate must be monitored regularly in order to assess the need of the patient to be ventilated. The careful use of non-invasive and invasive ventilation techniques can reduce the mortality from acute respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19 patients.