Clinical Pearls

Palliation of Breathlessness in the Context of COVID-19

Kate Lally, MD; Kate Baccari, PA-C; and Ana Tuya Fulton, MD AGSF FACP

Dyspnea is a prominent symptom of COVID-19 given the propensity of the virus to infect the respiratory tract and cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe cases. COVID-19 causes dyspnea in a significant number of affected patients and is a major concern for those referred to inpatient palliative care.^1,2 Effective management of dyspnea can be difficult in any situation and frequently requires a multipronged approach including both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions. It is critical that palliative care clinicians be comfortable managing this symptom.