Ventilators and Their Potential Harms in COVID-19: A Critical Analysis

Introduction and Overview

Recent reports and anecdotal evidence suggest that over 80% of COVID-19 patients on ventilators die. This high mortality rate has sparked intense debates among healthcare professionals and prompted an examination of whether the use of ventilators is truly beneficial for all patients.

Ventilators: A Double-Edged Sword in Respiratory Intensive Care

While ventilators are essential for managing respiratory failure in critically ill patients, they also carry significant risks. Toxicologists warn that ventilators may trigger the continuous increase of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO), which can be fatal when combined with oxygen therapies. This carbon monoxide can accumulate in the arterial plasma and spread to other organs, correlating with higher mortality rates and COHb levels in ventilated patients.

Case Studies and Precautions

One alarming case was highlighted by a toxicologist on April 9, 2020. The patient was experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning from pulse oximeters, leading to further health complications. This incident serves as a critical warning that not all interventions carried out in the medical field are benign.

The risk-benefit ratio for using ventilators must be carefully evaluated. Typically, a doctor would not agree to elective ventilation for a patient who merely suspects they have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Instead, interventions such as oxygen masks and CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) would be considered first. Ventilation with a ventilator is a last resort, only used when it is absolutely necessary to keep the patient alive.

Prevention and Early Detection

Early and accurate detection of hypoxemia (low oxygen in the bloodstream) using pulse oximeters could potentially avoid the need for intubation and significantly reduce the number of persons placed on ventilators. However, by the time a patient requires intubation, they are already in a worse state. The stats from the US indicate that only between 10% to 50% of ventilated patients survive, and even those who do may suffer from permanent lung fibrosis, with a significant percentage ranging from 20 to 30 degrees.

Conclusion

While ventilators have their place in saving lives, their use must be carefully considered and monitored to minimize potential harm. Further research and clinical guidelines are essential to ensure that healthcare providers can make informed decisions to benefit their patients.