Ventilation management in acute respiratory failure related to COVID-19 versus ARDS from another origin - a descriptive narrative review.

INTRODUCTION: It is uncertain whether ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) differs from that in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from another origin. AREAS COVERED: We undertook two literature searches in PubMed to identify observational studies reporting on ventilation management--one in patients with acute respiratory failure related to COVID-19, and one in patients with ARDS from another origin. The searches identified 14 studies in patients with acute respiratory failure related to COVID-19, and 8 studies in patients with ARDS from another origin. EXPERT OPINION: In patients with acute respiratory failure related to COVID-19, ventilation management seems to be similar to that of patients with ARDS from another origin. The future lies in studies focused on personalized treatment of ARDS of all origins, including COVID-19.