Background: The intermittent abdominal pressure ventilation (IAPV) is a non-invasive ventilation (NIV) technique that avoids facial interfaces and is a diurnal ventilatory support alternative for neuromuscular patients during stable chronic phases of the disease. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infection possibly causing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) and preexisting respiratory failure can be exacerbated by respiratory infection and progress to severe disease and ICU admission with a poor prognosis.
Aim: To report on the versatility and feasibility of IAPV in acute restrictive respiratory failure exacerbated by COVID-19.
Patient: We describe the case of a 33-year-old man with spastic tetraparesis, kyphoscoliosis, and impaired cough, eventually leading to a restrictive ventilation pattern. COVID-19 exacerbated respiratory failure and seizures. An NIV trial failed because of inadequate interface adhesion and intolerance. During NIV, dyspnea and seizures worsened. He underwent a high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) with a fluctuating benefit on gas exchange. IAPV was initiated and although there was a lack of cooperation and inability to sit; the compliance was good and a progressive improvement of gas exchange, respiratory rate, and dyspnea was observed.
Conclusions: IAPV is a versatile type of NIV that can be adopted in complicated restrictive respiratory failure. COVID-19 exacerbates preexisting conditions and is destined to be a disease of frailty. COVID-19 is not a contraindication to IAPV and this kind of ventilation can be employed in selected cases in a specialistic setting. Moreover, this report suggests that IAPV is safe when used in combination with HFNC. This hybrid approach provides the opportunity to benefit from both therapies, and, in this particular case, prevented the intubation with all connected risks.
Keywords: high flow nasal cannula; hypercapnia; kyphoscoliosis; mucociliary clearance; non-invasive ventilation; pneumonia.