Management of mechanical ventilation in a morbidly obese patient with COVID-19-induced ARDS.

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is more severe in morbidly obese patients. Mechanical ventilation differs between obese and non-obese patients. We examined these differences in an obese (body mass index = 47 kg/m2) 32-year-old patient followed up in our clinic. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit due to respiratory failure. Recruitment maneuvers were performed in pressure-controlled ventilation mode. The optimal positive end-expiratory pressure was 25 cm H2O. The inspiratory pressure was adjusted to 45 cm H2O to provide a tidal volume of 6 ml/kg and driving pressure ≤ 15. The patient was discharged with full recovery.