Pope Francis had acute breathing failure, but is awake and rest
Pope Francis had acute breathing failure, but is awake and rest
The Pope Francis had "two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency" on Monday, as the Vatican said. This is the latest event in a number of medical crises that the 88-year-old Pontifex has experienced since his first hospital recording last month.
causes of breathing problems
Today's episodes were caused by a “significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus” and the associated narrowing of the respiratory tract, the Vatican said. On Monday morning, the Pope underwent two bronchoscopies in which the doctors removed a collection of secretions. In the afternoon, Francis received an oxygen mask to support his breathing.
condition of the Pope
Despite its medical problems, the Pontifex remained vigilant and cooperative, the Vatican reported. "It was a complicated afternoon," said the Vatican sources on Monday evening and added that the acute respiratory crisis, which lasted part of the afternoon, was now over and the Pope is resting."The mucus collection results from pneumonia and leads to cough and cramps, while the bronchi try to throw out the mucus that irritates it," the sources continued. The Pope's blood values have remained unchanged and his forecast is "reserved", which indicates a reserved assessment.
treatment and forecast
dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency doctor from Boston, said for CNN that the "non-invasive mechanical ventilation", known as the oxygen mask, serves to provide oxygen with a little pressure. "Non-invasive ventilation would be the step that would take to take a patient with sedation and a ventilation hose," explained Faust.
was able to: "The two reasons to use non-invasive ventilation are either that you are not yet at the point that intubation and sedation are necessary, or that you want it, but the patient has made it clear that he does not want this-which is very reasonable if you are older and have a lot of health problems and do not want to die from machines."
disease course and family concern
In a previous update on Monday morning, the Vatican announced that the Pope had “well” rested overnight. Sources reported that it received high amounts of oxygen from nasal cannulas. Pope Francis has been in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome since mid-February, where he fights for double pneumonia. On Friday he had a sudden atemepisode that required an oxygen mask. His current hospitalization is his fourth and longest since taking office in 2013.
The Vatican publishes updates on the Pope's health twice a day. This has been suffering from lung problems for many years. In his youth he had severe pneumonia and had to be removed from a part of a lung.
On Sunday, Vatican sources reported that the "image was still complex" and that the "risk of a crisis" continued. Francis ’Cousine Carla Rabezzana told CNN on Monday that the family was worried about him. She reported that the family is not in contact with Francis, but received updates through the news. The last phone call the family had with the Pope took place at Christmas.
prayers for recovery
On Monday evening, Cardinal Robert Prevost on St. Peter's Square in Vatican City led a rosary prayer for the Pope. Bishops, nuns and hundreds of people gather there every evening to pray for the recovery of the Pope. The Pope's schedule was adjusted in favor of his intensive medical treatment. He did not lead the Angelus prayer for the third time in a row on Sunday, and will not lead the service on Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. This happens for the second time during his pontificate, according to the Vatican. A cardinal will instead lead the service.
Antonia Lehnert contributed to this report.