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Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
Published on: September 24, 2020
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Inhalational volatile-based sedation for COVID-19 pneumonia and ARDS
Angela Jerath1,2,3,4, Niall D Ferguson5,6, Brian Cuthbertson5,7,8
1Department of Anesthesia, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada. Angela.Jerath@mail.utoronto.ca.
Intensive Care Medicine
|June 27, 2020
Summary
Hospitals face shortages of intravenous sedatives due to COVID-19 critical care needs. Inhaled volatile anesthetics offer an abundant alternative for intensive care unit sedation, potentially benefiting patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Global shortage of intravenous sedative medications impacting hospital critical care.
- Increased demand for sedatives driven by COVID-19 patients in intensive care units (ICUs).
- Disruptions in drug supply chains exacerbate medication scarcity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the use of inhaled volatile anesthetic agents as an alternative for ICU sedation.
- To explore potential pulmonary benefits of volatile agents for COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
- To provide a technical overview and algorithm for implementing volatile agent-based sedation in ICUs.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on inhaled volatile anesthetic agents in critical care settings.
- Analysis of the feasibility and implementation strategies for volatile agent administration in ICUs.
- Development of a practical algorithm for volatile-based sedation protocols.
Main Results:
- Inhaled volatile anesthetic agents represent an abundant and readily available resource for ICU sedation.
- Volatile agents may offer therapeutic pulmonary benefits, potentially improving gas exchange in ARDS patients.
- Implementation of volatile agent sedation can reduce reliance on scarce intravenous sedatives and may decrease ventilator duration.
Conclusions:
- Inhaled volatile anesthetics are a viable and abundant alternative to address intravenous sedative shortages in ICUs.
- The use of volatile agents may improve outcomes for critically ill patients, particularly those with ARDS.
- A structured approach and technical guidelines are essential for the safe and effective administration of inhaled volatile-based sedation.
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