Spontaneous Pneumothorax in COVID-19 Patients Treated with High-Flow Nasal Cannula outside the ICU: A Case Series

Nalewajska, Magdalena; Feret, Wiktoria; Wojczyński, Łukasz; Witkiewicz, Wojciech; Wiśniewska, Magda; Kotfis, Katarzyna

doi:10.3390/ijerph18042191

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Spontaneous Pneumothorax in COVID-19 Patients Treated with High-Flow Nasal Cannula outside the ICU: A Case Series

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Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, 70–111 Szczecin, Poland

Department of Cardiology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70–111 Szczecin, Poland

Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Therapy and Acute Intoxications, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70–111 Szczecin, Poland

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Academic Editor: Paul Tchounwou

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(4), 2191; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042191

Received: 4 February 2021 / Revised: 15 February 2021 / Accepted: 17 February 2021 / Published: 23 February 2021

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Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global pandemic and a burden to global health at the turn of 2019 and 2020. No targeted treatment for COVID-19 infection has been identified so far, thus supportive treatment, invasive and non-invasive oxygen support, and corticosteroids remain a common therapy. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), a non-invasive oxygen support method, has become a prominent treatment option for respiratory failure during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. HFNC reduces the anatomic dead space and increases positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), allowing higher concentrations and higher flow of oxygen. Some studies suggest positive effects of HFNC on mortality and avoidance of intubation. Spontaneous pneumothorax has been observed in patients suffering from SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Although the viral infection itself contributes to its development, higher PEEP generated by both HFNC and mechanical ventilation is another risk factor for increased alveoli damage and air-leak. Herein, we present three cases of patients with no previous history of lung diseases who were diagnosed with COVID-19 viral pneumonia. All of them were supported with HFNC, and all of them presented spontaneous pneumothorax. View Full-Text

Keywords: coronavirus; COVID-19; HFNC; SARS-CoV-2; pneumothorax

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Nalewajska, M.; Feret, W.; Wojczyński, Ł.; Witkiewicz, W.; Wiśniewska, M.; Kotfis, K. Spontaneous Pneumothorax in COVID-19 Patients Treated with High-Flow Nasal Cannula outside the ICU: A Case Series. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 2191. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042191

AMA Style

Nalewajska M, Feret W, Wojczyński Ł, Witkiewicz W, Wiśniewska M, Kotfis K. Spontaneous Pneumothorax in COVID-19 Patients Treated with High-Flow Nasal Cannula outside the ICU: A Case Series. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(4):2191. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042191

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nalewajska, Magdalena, Wiktoria Feret, Łukasz Wojczyński, Wojciech Witkiewicz, Magda Wiśniewska, and Katarzyna Kotfis. 2021. "Spontaneous Pneumothorax in COVID-19 Patients Treated with High-Flow Nasal Cannula outside the ICU: A Case Series" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 4: 2191. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042191

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