The Obstetric Patient and Respiratory Failure: Lessons Learned From COVID-19 and SARS Avian Flu

Concurrent Session Moderator(s)

• 

  Frank O'Connell, MD, FACP, FCCP

  Staff Anesthesiologist
  AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center
  Yardley, Pennsylvania

  Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.
• 

  Katherine McCusker (she/her/hers)

  ARNP
  University of Washington

  Disclosure information not submitted.

Respiratory failure in obstetric patients can be caused by a variety of etiologies including infection, inflammation, aspiration, and hemorrhage, which can lead to the development of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The care of these patients differs uniquely from that of other patients with SARS. Considerations include ventilatory management and its implications for the fetus, when to consider alternative modalities of respiratory support (e.g., extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [ECMO]), the evaluation of a health system’s capabilities, and transfer to a higher level of care when necessary. Strategies for successfully transferring an obstetric patient to a more appropriate facility will be explored.

Presentations:

• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in the Obstetric Patient: Etiologies, Respiratory Support, and Why the Obstetric Patient Is Unique
  

  Concurrent Session Faculty: Lauren Plante, MD, MPH, – Penn State College of Medicine
• Respiratory Failure Refractory to Conventional Mechanical Ventilation: The Role of ECMO in the Obstetric Patient
  

  Concurrent Session Faculty: Mary J. Reed, MD, FCCM – Geisinger Medical Center
• My Facility Can't Handle This Severely Ill Obstetric Patient: How and When to Consider Transfer to a Tertiary Care Facility
  

  Concurrent Session Faculty: Randy S. Wax, MD, MEd, FCCM (he/him/his) – Lakeridge Health/Queen's University