Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia | 2021
Role of almitrine bismesylate in managing refractory hypoxemia in COVID19 acute respiratory distress syndrome
Abstract
76 Saudi Journal of Anesthesia / Volume 15 / Issue 1 / January‐March 2021 To the Editor, In the ongoing COVID19 pandemic due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), clinicians have been using several permutations and combinations to deal with COVID19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). As there is no evidence based anti‐viral or a vaccine available at this moment, management is purely supportive based on existing evidence. Clinicians all over the world have used non‐invasive/invasive ventilation with lung protective strategies using high FiO2 and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), corticosteroids, inhaled nitric oxide (NO), extra‐corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), anticoagulants, antivirals, hydroxy‐chloroquine sulphate, inflammatory inhibitors, serotherapy with variable results.[1] Researchers are still searching and experimenting various pharmacological agents in variety of doses which could improve intrapulmonary shunting leading to refractory hypoxia in COVID19 ARDS. One such drug is almitrine bismesylate.