Utility of Endobronchial Valves in a Patient with Bronchopleural Fistula in the Setting of COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report and Brief Review

Division

Far West

Hospital

MountainView Hospital

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

10-29-2021

Keywords

COVID-19, Novel Coronavirus 2019, SARS-CoV-2, pneumonia, bronchopleural fistula

Disciplines

Internal Medicine | Respiratory Tract Diseases | Virus Diseases

Abstract

Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia frequently develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and in severe cases, require invasive mechanical ventilation. One complication that can develop in patients with ARDS who are mechanically ventilated is a bronchopleural fistula (BPF). Although rare, the frequency of BPF in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia is increasingly recognized. Here, we present a 48-year old man with BPF associated with COVID-19 pneumonia. Treatment with a commercial endobronchial valve (EBV) system resulted in reduced air leak allowing for tracheostomy placement. Our case adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that the presence of COVID-19 pneumonia does not hinder the utility of EBV’s in the treatment of BPF’s.

Publisher or Conference

Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care

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