Respiratory physiotherapy and mechanical ventilation in the comprehensive management of patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Acute respiratory diseases are caused by viral and bacterial infections, among others. The current pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 and the condition in the lower respiratory tract has increased the admission of people to intensive care units and the requirement for mechanical ventilation. The objective of this study is to describe the main respiratory physiotherapy techniques used in patients with COVID-19 undergoing mechanical ventilation. A bibliographic review was carried out in academic databases Science Direct, Elsevier, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scielo using DeCS/MeSH terms, search filters were applied and studies were included in treated patients suffering from COVID-19 with progression to ARDS requiring mechanical ventilation. and respiratory physiotherapy m ana gem ent. The results dem onstrated the effectiveness of respiratory physiotherapy in patients with an artificial airway, concluding that the different respiratory techniques permeabilized the airway and improved gas exchange, lung capacities, and volumes.