Severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 in individuals with alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis: Understanding the impediments to intensive care unit ventilation

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), has instigated a swiftly evolving pandemic since late 2019, characterized by a mortality rate ranging from 0.5% to 3%. The deleterious impact of COVID-19 on the realm of hepatology has become evident, as chronic liver disease has escalated the risk of mortality associated with COVID-19 globally. The constraint on therapeutic interventions may have played a role in contributing to excessive mortality among individuals with pre-existing severe liver disease or alcohol use disorders. The primary aim of this editorial is to delineate the impediments to intensive care unit ventilation in patients with alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis who are afflicted with severe SARS-CoV-2.