The Pope resumed respiratory physiotherapy on Wednesday with high-flow oxygen therapy, without non-invasive mechanical ventilation, Vatican sources indicated, after his condition remained 'stable' in the last hours following two episodes of acute respiratory failure suffered on Monday.
Francis continues 'with his treatment, the respiratory physiotherapy' and has 'removed the non-invasive mechanical ventilation mask' used at night 'to use high-flow oxygen' through nasal cannulas, the sources explained.
The pontiff, 88 years old and who is completing his twentieth day hospitalized at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, had resumed non-invasive mechanical ventilation with a mask after Monday's crisis and although it was removed during the day yesterday, he used it again last night.
In the latest bulletin, the Holy See explained that the Pope's clinical condition remained 'stable' this Tuesday, within a 'complex' framework, and that he had not presented new episodes of respiratory failure or bronchospasm. Additionally, he did not have a fever and was 'conscious at all times, collaborating with therapies and oriented.'
During this Tuesday, Francis alternated between prayer and rest - in previous days the Vatican had communicated that he had worked on signing some documents and appointments - and also received the Eucharist.
The Pope, 88 years old, has been hospitalized at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome since February 14 for bronchitis with polymicrobial infection, along with bilateral pneumonia.
On Monday, he suffered two severe episodes of acute respiratory failure caused by 'significant' accumulation of mucus within the bronchi, which caused spasms, leading to two bronchoscopies to aspirate those secretions.
These two crises add to the other two that Francis has had in these 20 days of hospitalization: one asthmatic respiratory episode on February 22 and another 'isolated' due to a bronchospasm that also caused vomiting on the 29th.
