8(th) International conference on management and rehabilitation of chronic respiratory failure: the long summaries – Part 3

Ambrosino, Nicolino; Casaburi, Richard; Chetta, Alfredo; Clini, Enrico; Donner, Claudio F.; Dreher, Michael; Goldstein, Roger; Jubran, Amal; Nici, Linda; Owen, Caroline A.; Rochester, Carolyn; Tobin, Martin J.; Vagheggini, Guido; Vitacca, Michele; ZuWallack, Richard

Technical issues in ARF caused by airborne infectious diseases include: 1) Ventilators with a doubleline circuit without an expiratory port (like whisper, plateau exhalation valve, anti-rebreathing valve etc.) should be preferred. This can reduce the risk of dispersion of exhaled infected particles through the intentional leaks of a single line circuit; 2) Well customized face masks should be preferred to nasal masks to avoid the potential spreading of contaminated air particles from the mouth; 3) Healthcare workers should be aware of the potential risks of using NIV in such conditions taking appropriate precautions especially during the patient disconnection from the NIV; [34] 4) In general, patient isolation and protective measures also for care-givers should limit if not avoid disease transmission; 5) The use of other techniques such as high flow nasal cannula are controversial.