Non-invasive ventilation using a novel ventilator and non-vented full-face mask for patients with respiratory failure during the COVID-19 pandemic: Report of three cases.

The Japanese government's latest manual on COVID-19 management mentions non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Before this version, we experienced three cases in which COVID-19 was a concern. Each case had one of the following conditions: obesity hypoventilation syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, acute heart failure with acute kidney injury with hypercapnia. The guidelines indicate that patients with these diseases are good candidates for NIV. NIV was used in a negative pressure room with staff in personal protective equipment. We describe the use of NIV instruments with anti-viral filters and a non-vented mask, including a new NIV machine for COVID-19 respiratory care.

Increased usage of the high flow nasal cannula in COVID-19 cases in Japan -from the online questionnaire survey by the Japanese Respiratory Society.

An online questionnaire survey was used to assess the application of noninvasive strategies in the management of COVID-19 patients. We found a marked increase in the proportion of facilities using high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy successfully in the 3rd epidemic wave as compared to the 1st wave (49% vs. 12%) and rare reports of associated nosocomial infection in the medical personnel. Furthermore, the proportion of facilities using HFNC as first-line therapy for half or more than half of their patients who did not respond to conventional oxygen therapy increased from 9% in the first to 33% in the second survey. Conversely, the rate of mechanical ventilation with intubation usage following conventional oxygen therapy failure decreased from 62% to 54%. These changes could be due to the limited medical resources available during the larger 3rd wave coupled with increased internal reports on the success of HFNC.