Volume-assured pressure support mode plus pirfenidone as resuscitation therapy in patients with exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Introduction: Treatment among advanced stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is quite challenging, especially considering that no major evidence has been released about it. This case report demonstrates and discusses the benefit of non-invasive mechanical ventilation in volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS) mode plus pirfenidone based on the relief of a patient’s symptoms in combination with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) evidence. Material and methods: An 83-year-old female patient with multiple hospital admissions within a six-month period initially presented with cardiac symptoms which were later attributed to a possible exacerbation of her primary diagnosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusion: The addition of non-invasive mechanical ventilation in AVAPS mode plus pirfenidone can improve the survival rates even in patients with current exacerbations of acute respiratory failure due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.