Introduction:

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is a ventilatory alternative for COVID-19 cases.

Objective:

To describe the characteristics and evolution of non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) in patients discharged from Provisional Center for moderate COVID-19 patients in Figali, Panama.

Methods:

A descriptive, retrospective, longitudinal stu was carried out in all adult patients discharged from June to July 2021 and who received non-invasive mechanical ventilation. A questionnaire was used using the digital individual medical record as primary source. Descriptive statistics techniques were used.

Results:

35.9% of the patients (78/217) who were admitted required non-invasive mechanical ventilation on the ninth day of symptoms and the second day after admission. 62.8% (49/78) were obese and 29.5% (23/78) hypertensive. The respiratory rate ≥30 and the decrease in the PaO2/FiO2 ratio decided the begining of non-invasive mechanical ventilation in 56.4% (78/217) of those admitted. 62.8% (49/78) had moderate-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, and the severity was related to ventilation failure out of the total number of ventilated patients. Ventilation was successful in 65.4% (51/78). PaO2/FiO2 <150 (62.9%), respiratory rate ≥30 (55.6%) and physical exhaustion (51.85%) decided ventilation failure.

Conclusions:

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is an effective procedure in COVID-19 patients and moderate or severe respiratory distress; although its success is related to the less severe forms. Low PaO2/FiO2, together with symptoms, were key indicators to assess the begining, success or failure of NIMV; not so the values of PaO2, PaCO2 and SpO2.

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