Acute Upper Airway Obstruction Secondary to Retained Respiratory Secretions in a Patient with SARS-CoV-2 Respiratory Failure Treated with Prolonged CPAP

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus which can cause respiratory failure requiring ventilatory support. We describe the first documented case of life-threatening upper airway obstruction due to retained secretions around a nasogastric (NG) tube in a patient suffering from this disease who was managed with prolonged continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP). This case highlights the need for awareness around the development of an upper airway mass due to tenacious secretions in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients and the need to develop preventative strategies in order to prevent avoidable mortality. Keywords: Airway obstruction; CPAP; SARS-CoV-2; Coronavirus; Nasogastric tube; Non-invasive ventilation.