3 ms·

The trouble as I understand is that CPAP aerosolizes the virus and spreads it everywhere.

jacobush 7y ago
Still useful if you can put people in a balcony for instance, old school sanatorium style. And what is usually called "CPAP" is actually not constant airpressure anymore but adapts continuously with software.
- bradknowles 7y ago
  That would technically be an “Auto-PAP”. I have a CPAP and my doctor has specifically said that I should stick with this technology for as long as I can, because it will be better and more effective for me in the long run. He said that an Auto-PAP or a Bi-PAP would be the next step, if we get to needing pressure levels that a CPAP can’t deliver.
jcrubino 7y ago
There is no problem with cpap. Filters are available for the machines and tubes that lead to and away from the facemask. CPAP is a good start for any patient that has a spontaneous inspirtory drive and acceptable work of breathing. The problem for the COVID patients is more so oxygenation then ventilation (this is a technical complication of the disease were studies have shown that focusing on O2 with an elevated CO2 is better in the long run then trying to ventilate the lung to normal CO2 levels as the volume of air needed to do this effectively can do more damage to the lung). CPAP helps O2 absorbtion in the lungs by maintaining a generally elevated pressure that pushes O2 into the alveolar sacs for perfusion without requiring a concentration of O2 that might create a fibrotic lung. If the patient passes a certain threshold of respiratory distress and work of breathing they will need to be intubated to carry on the same O2/Co2 strategy above to protect the lung from further damage. After intubation is when a real ventilator will be needed. Ventilators can be very simple so long as people are aware the patient will be out like fashion so the ventilator can do its thing and medical staff monitor the patients vital systems. This is not always ideal as voluntary spontaneous movement of the patient can help relieve some of the neuro and physiological lung issues they are experiencing. Ideally everything done for the patient as soon as they hit the ward is to keep them off a ventilator for their own and others best outcomes.

Still useful if you can put people in a balcony for instance, old school sanatorium style. And what is usually called "CPAP" is actually not constant airpressure anymore but adapts continuously with software.

bradknowles 7y ago
That would technically be an “Auto-PAP”. I have a CPAP and my doctor has specifically said that I should stick with this technology for as long as I can, because it will be better and more effective for me in the long run. He said that an Auto-PAP or a Bi-PAP would be the next step, if we get to needing pressure levels that a CPAP can’t deliver.

jcrubino 7y ago

There is no problem with cpap. Filters are available for the machines and tubes that lead to and away from the facemask. CPAP is a good start for any patient that has a spontaneous inspirtory drive and acceptable work of breathing. The problem for the COVID patients is more so oxygenation then ventilation (this is a technical complication of the disease were studies have shown that focusing on O2 with an elevated CO2 is better in the long run then trying to ventilate the lung to normal CO2 levels as the volume of air needed to do this effectively can do more damage to the lung). CPAP helps O2 absorbtion in the lungs by maintaining a generally elevated pressure that pushes O2 into the alveolar sacs for perfusion without requiring a concentration of O2 that might create a fibrotic lung. If the patient passes a certain threshold of respiratory distress and work of breathing they will need to be intubated to carry on the same O2/Co2 strategy above to protect the lung from further damage. After intubation is when a real ventilator will be needed. Ventilators can be very simple so long as people are aware the patient will be out like fashion so the ventilator can do its thing and medical staff monitor the patients vital systems. This is not always ideal as voluntary spontaneous movement of the patient can help relieve some of the neuro and physiological lung issues they are experiencing. Ideally everything done for the patient as soon as they hit the ward is to keep them off a ventilator for their own and others best outcomes.