Table 3

Basic management strategies in mechanically ventilated patients

Time point	Basic management strategies in mechanically ventilated patients
Time point	Confirmed or suspected COVID-19*		Non-COVID-19 ARDS†
First 48 hours after intubation	Lung-protective ventilation	Prone positioning	Lung-protective ventilation	Prone positioning
	Neuromuscular blocking agents	Higher PEEP	Neuromuscular blocking agents	Higher Peep
	Conservative fluid management		Conservative fluid management
After the first 48 hours after intubation	Lung-protective ventilation	Prone positioning	Lung-protective ventilation	Prone positioning
	Neuromuscular blocking agents	Higher PEEP	Neuromuscular blocking agents	Higher PEEP
	Conservative fluid management		Conservative fluid management
Severe ARDS and refractory hypoxia	Inhaled pulmonary vasodilators	Recruitment manoeuvres	Inhaled pulmonary vasodilators	Recruitment manoeuvres
Severe ARDS and refractory hypoxia	APRV	ECMO	APRV	ECMO

For each survey question, median scores were calculated with a score of <3.5 being considered inappropriate (red background), ≥3.5 and <6.5 uncertain (amber background) and ≥6.5 appropriate (green background).
*In the context of the pandemic.
†Outside the context of the pandemic.
APRV, airway pressure release ventilation; ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/referral to an ECMO centre; lung-protective ventilation, tidal volume <6 mL/kg ideal body weight and plateau pressure <30 cmH₂O; PEEP, positive end-expiratory pressure.