How many lives ventilators can save, in a pandemic like corona ?

One of my well-educated patients asked me, how ready is our state health services. How many ventilators do we have, he asked? I told him, we have enough but short of it only technically. I had great difficulty in explaining to him that ventilators are not the antidote for coronavirus. I continued, even if we have an unlimited number of ventilator and other gadgets, the major determinant of the outcome is going to be the overall viral load, severity of lung Injury and other system involvement. Finally, it is the patient’s ultimate fighting power along with the forbidden word in medicine, ie fate. His query continued to stir me. It took 30mts to draw this pyramid with a message that, there are many ways, by which, we can successfully tackle this pandemic other than critical care. (Please, take it in a proper perspective. It is not intended  to undermine the importance of critical care.) Emerging trend In India Things look positive .The virulence of covid here seems to be less pronounced.(1000 cases with 25 deaths). As of now , it appears, the take off slope from phase 2 to 3 struggles to sustain.It could still be an assumption, but would love to see it as a fact. Indian Government is on the right tract and we should all be glad about the steps taken, inspite of the collateral social suffering of the lock down. Looking forward to celebrate the summer folks !
Source: Dr.S.Venkatesan MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: blogs