Doctors treating Pope Francis at Rome's Gemelli Hospital reported Friday evening that the Pontiff’s respiratory condition worsened after an isolated bronchospasm.
A bronchospasm is a sudden constriction or tightening of the muscles around the airways (bronchi) in the lungs.
This narrowing of the airways can make breathing difficult and can be triggered by various factors, such as respiratory infections, allergies, or irritants like smoke or pollution.
Bronchospasms are common in conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Symptoms may include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness.
In severe cases, they can lead to a significant drop in oxygen levels, requiring medical intervention, such as inhalers, medications, or mechanical ventilation.
In response, Pope Francis was placed on non-invasive mechanical ventilation, which helped improve his oxygen levels.
Medical staff, it added, promptly performed bronchial aspiration to clear his airways and initiated non-invasive mechanical ventilation.
Despite the setback, the Pope has remained alert, aware, and cooperative with his treatment, the statement further reads.
Doctors indicated that they will require about 24 to 48 hours to assess the Pope’s clinical condition following this sudden change in condition.
The Pope, who has been receiving treatment for bilateral pneumonia, was admitted to the hospital on February 14 due to a respiratory tract infection.
Earlier in the day, Friday, Pope received the Eucharist.
The non-invasive ventilation has reportedly stabilised his gas exchange values, bringing them back to levels similar to those before the episode.
However, the prognosis remains guarded.
