Introduction: Early noninvasive respiratory support (NIRS) is correlated with a success rate of 60-75% in patients experiencing SARS-CoV-2 ARDS. We conducted a prospective case-control study to assess differences in outcomes between Helmet c-PAP (H-c-PAP) and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). Methods: All patients with SARS-CoV-2 ARDS, treated with H-c-PAP or NIPPV between October 2021 and April 2022 were sampled. We recorded: demographics, comorbidities, clinical, respiratory, sepsis, NIRS parameters, and outcomes. A "NIRS team" followed the patients in respiratory support supplying them with early and timely intensive physiotherapy i-PKT as well. The Cox's proportional hazard model was applied for multivariate analyses. Results: 368 patients were admitted to our hospital medical ward. 85 patients were treated with H-c-PAP and 145 underwent NIPPV. 138 patients needing oxygen supplementation alone were excluded. The two groups were homogeneously distributed and ICU admission rates were lower in the H-c-PAP one (9.4 vs 11% P = .001) while mortality was higher in the NIPPV group (22.7 vs 9.4%, P = .001). The two multivariate models, that had overall mortality as primary outcome, identified age, H-c-PAP daily, i-PKT and ICU admission as independent variables impacting on the outcome. Age was no longer a significant independent predictor after the inclusion of elderly patients (age >80). The third model showed daily i-PKT could prevent ICU admission whereas the length of NIRS was inversely proportional to outcome. Conclusions: A "NIRS multidisciplinary team" made it possible to adopt an early and timely combination of NIRS and i-PKT resulting in the saving of both patient lives and ICU resources.
Keywords: ARDS; ICU; SARS-COV-2; noninvasive respiratory support; ward.