Assisted ventilation

Despite treatment efforts, some SARS patients still develop acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. According to the current literature, 2030% of SARS warranted admission into intensive care units, and 1020% eventually required intubation and mechanical ventilation.

The initial management of SARS-related respiratory failure is oxygen supplementation. If the oxygen saturation remains low or dyspnea persists, assisted ventilation, either through non-invasive or invasive means, has to be considered.