Hyderabad (Telangana): Professor Paranthaman of Kilpauk Government Medical College said that prone ventilators used for COVID-19 patients, increase the intake of oxygen. In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Prof. Parathaman also talked on various issues related to coronavirus and how one should protect oneself from the deadly virus. Excerpts of the interview:
Q1: Can corona be won over by prone ventilation?
A1: If people having shallow breathing are subjected to prone ventilation, the lungs get expanded and the intake of Oxygen increases. This can be recommended as a suggestion for those affected by corona. But only the doctors will be able to decide what will be the preferred mode of treatment in such cases.
Q2: If we compare the initial state of corona’s spread with present status what is the extent of its vigour?
A2: Initially, the treatment was given to more than 3,000 people out of which more than a hundred required high critical care unit. But now the numbers have escalated. The activities of the virus that are found in the body of those who were affected at the beginning of the pandemic differ from the activities of the virus that are present in the body of those who are affected now. It is said that Grade A-131 type of virus is present. But it has not been officially confirmed.
In the beginning, most of the patients had ordinary symptoms. Out of 300 patients, only 20% of them required Intensive Care treatment. But, now, out of 470 patients, 100 patients require Intensive Care treatment. Among them, 20% require treatment in the most Critical Care Unit. This is totally a different scenario when compared with the initial stage. Currently, the mortality rate has also increased.
Q3: What is the reason for the increase in the rate of death due to Corona?
A3: At least 80% of the asymptomatic are in the Hypemic Hypoxia stage. If we consider that 20 per cent of the people have symptoms, then 15 per cent of them are severely affected. Those who are severely affected by corona do not seem to have the initial symptoms like breathing trouble, cold, etc. If patients have breathing issues, the speed of the intake of oxygen to the lungs (SpO2) decreases and low pulse rates are also observed.
But in the case of corona, the pulse and speed of intake of oxygen are not affected. Patients face difficulties in inhaling and exhaling the oxygen, which in most of the cases are not known to the affected patients. They tend to indulge in normal activities like climbing the stairs, as a result of which the oxygen level gets decreased and the patient dies. This is the problem with corona and in medical terms, we call it 'Hypemic Hypoxia'.
Q4: What is the treatment for corona patients?
A4: Patients with cough and cold are more prone to corona and they should immediately seek medical attention. They should be kept in isolation and should be given adequate treatment. Treatment is given under Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method.
In the case of Covid-19 patients, the blood circulates to the lungs but it gets blocked which leads to breathing difficulties. However, drugs are also administered to reduce the damage of the lungs. Prone ventilation method is also recommended.
Q5: Can corona be won by Prone ventilation?
A5: When traditional modes of ventilation failed, prone ventilation method is put to use and it is mostly used for the treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Prone ventilation is ventilation that is delivered with the patient lying in the prone position. During that time, the lungs expand and there is more oxygen supply to the lungs. Prone ventilation is recommended for corona patients as it increases the ability to take more oxygen.
Q6: Who needs Prone ventilation?
A6: Prone ventilation is required for those critical patients whose ability to take oxygen is less than 85 per cent. Generally, patients with 95 per cent ability to take in oxygen are administered with drugs and their health condition improves.
