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Purpose of reviewThis review focuses on the emerging body of literature regarding the management of acute respiratory failure in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim is to abstract management principles that are of relevance across a variety of settings where resources are severely limited.Recent findingsMechanical ventilation is an expensive intervention associated with considerable mortality and a high rate of iatrogenic complications in many LMICs. Recent case series report crude mortality rates for ventilated patients of between 36 and 72%. Measures to avert the need for invasive mechanical ventilation in LMICs are showing promise: bubble continuous positive airway pressure has been demonstrated to decrease mortality in children with acute respiratory failure and trials suggest that noninvasive ventilation can be conducted safely in settings where resources are low.SummaryThe management of patients with acute respiratory failure in LMICs should focus on avoiding intubation where possible, improving the safety of mechanical ventilation and expediting weaning. Future directions should involve the development and trialing of robust and context-appropriate respiratory support technology.

Original publication

DOI

10.1097/mcc.0000000000000568

Type

Journal article

Journal

Current opinion in critical care

Publication Date

02/2019

Volume

25

Pages

45 - 53

Addresses

Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Keywords

Humans, Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult, Respiratory Insufficiency, Respiration, Artificial, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, Child, Noninvasive Ventilation