Critical care management of Interstitial Lung Disease with a focus on Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Optimizing diagnosis and treatment

Introduction Exacerbations of interstitial lung disease (ILD), diffuse parenchymal lung diseases, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis can often lead to acute hypoxia, resulting in intensive care unit (ICU) admission. For those patients who require invasive mechanical ventilation, mortality rates can exceed 80%. Methods This review discusses the fundamental aspects of ILD exacerbations in the ICU setting, comprising diagnostic modalities, criteria, and management options. These include high-resolution computerized tomography, sputum analysis, treatment with immunomodulating agents, and both non-invasive and invasive ventilatory support strategies. Conclusion Exacerbations of ILD requiring mechanical ventilation are associated with poor prognostic outcomes. Understanding diagnostic criteria and treatment options is crucial to studying the high morbidity & mortality rates, leading to future directions focused on delivery of optimal care for this vulnerable patient population. Keywords: Interstitial lung disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, ILD exacerbation, critical care medicine, invasive mechanical ventilation.