Role of Transnasal Humidified Rapid-Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange Therapy in the Management of a Twin Pregnancy with H1N1 Infection in Early Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Pregnancy with H1N1 infection presenting with early acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a challenging situation, where the life of both mother and fetus are jeopardized. Morbidity and mortality in such a clinical situation are not uncommon; it may result in hypoxemic acute respiratory failure in a pregnant patient, leading to mechanical ventilation and poorer outcomes in neonates due to prematurity. An interdisciplinary approach involving obstetricians, respiratory physicians, neonatologist, and anesthesiologist is mandatory for a good outcome. This case report highlights the management strategy of the parturient infected with H1N1 in early ARDS with the Transnasal Humidified Rapid-Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange therapy, which completely obviated the requirement of the invasive ventilation.