ABSTRACT
The first body ventilator was called, by Philip Drinker and Louis Agassiz Shaw, “iron lung” due to the metal being used in the construction of the tank that contained the patient. However, in the following years, not only were used lighter materials, but were also used different shapes in order to contain the chest of the patients to be treated, and thus, the “pneumowrap” and the “cuirass” were born. Each of these ventilators has particular characteristics and clinical indications that are listed here. A particular note must be added to the Hayek ventilator, which, with its oscillatory wave delivery, has additional characteristics to the normal “cuirass” and the “Double Positive + Negative Synchronized Ventilation (DPNSV)” in which two synchronized ventilators are being used. Each of these acts in a diametrically opposite way on the chest: One delivers a positive pressure to the airways and the other a negative extra-thoracic pressure. With this latest mode of mechanical ventilation, which eliminates alveolar pressures during inspiration, a new path is being opened in treating even difficult patients such as those suffering from ARDS or COVID-19. © 2022 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The global COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with high mortality, particularly among the elderly and patients with chronic comorbidities, but the vast majority of affected people are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms. The aim was to explore associations between treatments used and reported outcomes in patients who developed symptoms and were tested positive for COVID-19. Methods: Adult participants were recruited to participate in an online survey from the general public in 13 countries (Brazil, China, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA), between July 2020 and May 2021. In this analysis we include participants who had symptoms of acute respiratory infection and/ or confirmed COVID-19 infection. A retrospective treatment-outcome approach to analyse statistical associations between treatments used and outcomes (duration and severity of symptoms). Results: Over 54,000 participants completed the online questionnaire, and over 104,000 participants partially answered it. Regression of each outcome on the most frequently used treatments, adjusting for prespecified confounders (including age and comorbidities), will prioritise the treatments associated with the best outcomes. Conclusion: The treatments associated with the best outcomes could be a priority for further research. However, one cannot conclude that these treatments are effective, because it is difficult to control for all confounders, especially baseline severity of illness. Keywords: COVID-19;survey;Treatment outcomes;International