Emerging treatments
Oral beta-blockers
Oral beta-blockers may be associated with a lower in-hospital and 1-year mortality for intensive care unit patients treated for acute respiratory failure.[83] Further studies are needed.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
ECMO for severe acute respiratory failure in adults and children is complex and costly at present, and can only be safely conducted in centers with sufficient experience, volume, and expertise.[84][85] Nevertheless, in areas with tertiary medical centers that are capable of providing ECMO, this modality is becoming more common for management of selected patients. In addition to increased attention to ventilation support with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, endotracheal intubation and advanced methods for mechanical ventilation, the acute respiratory failure associated with COVID-19 has introduced more aggressive use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a potential means for management.[86]
Diaphragmatic pacing for neurologic dysfunction
Diaphragmatic pacing, similar to cardiac pacing, may have potential benefit for those with neurologic impairment of diaphragmatic function. However, a single study showed that addition of diaphragmatic pacing to standard care with noninvasive ventilation was associated with decreased survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).[87]
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