Commonly used at home to help people with sleep problems, CPAP treatment helps keep the lungs open and makes breathing easier. Photo credit: Lancaster University
The lives of patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19 are rescued by doctors who have previously received existing medical treatment.
Dr. Luigi Sedda of Lancaster University analyzed the results of the NHS Trust (WWL) team at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals. Her research has now been published in the prestigious medical journal BMJ Respiratory Open.
He said, “We show that Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) appears to save between 10% and 20% of patients in the first few days of hospitalization. However, it is important to emphasize that this was a pilot study with a small sample size, although comforting evidence emerges elsewhere. ”
According to the NHS England, 96% of the people who died with Covid had at least one serious health condition and the majority are over 80 years old.
Dr. Abdul Ashish-led team used the CPAP machines on patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan.
In patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome, COVID-19 can cause the lungs to swell and collapse. Using CPAP treatment, often used at home to help people with sleep problems, helps keep the lungs open and makes breathing easier.
Research conducted by the team has shown how CPAP treatment can be effectively delivered in a low-resource ward across the country and worldwide where ICU bed availability is limited.
The research has so far helped nearly a hundred patients on the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary.
The consultant respiratory doctor Dr. Ashish said, “Using CPAP at the start of admission does not make the patient worse and therefore avoids invasive ventilation techniques. Because CPAP is readily available and can be used in a ward, we have shown that when used early, it can be a very effective method of treating severe COVID-19 pneumonia.
“We are one of the first adopters of stationary CPAP in the Northwest and have developed local protocols and pathways by modifying our existing CPAP equipment to deliver good results for our patients.”
The researchers also found that early use of CPAP may reduce lung damage during the worst of COVID-19 infection and allow the patient to recover from the inflammatory effects. However, when used later, CPCP does not prevent lung damage, which leads to additional inflammation and a reduction in the chances of survival.
Dr. Martin Farrier, Associate Medical Director, said, “We are leading the development of care for COVID-19 patients and have developed a very effective treatment strategy for our populations who develop lung failure after contracting COVID-19. The people of Wigan can be sure that they are receiving the best care at WWL because we have helped develop the best care. ”
He praised Dr. Luigi Sedda and his team at Lancaster University.
“This collaboration with Lancaster University has been remarkable and has enabled us to deliver high quality research.
“The BMJ Respiratory Open is a very important magazine, but beyond that, the results of the work are important to our response to COVID-19 and to our organization. This is the main publication on the use of CPAP in the treatment of COVID-19 patients and shows a significant association with a decrease in mortality. The way we treat patients here in Wigan affects how patients are now treated in other organizations. ”
Reference: “CPAP Management of COVID-19 Respiratory Failure: An Initial Quantitative Analysis from an Inpatient Performance Assessment” by Abdul Ashish, Alison Unsworth, Jane Martindale, Ram Sundar, Kanishka Kavuri, Luigi Sedda, and Martin Farrier, November 4, 2020, .
DOI: 10.1136 / bmjresp-2020-000692
