Supplemental Oxygen

Oxygen needs declined progressively through 10L, then 6L, then 4L in the days following sunlight therapy. The patient was ultimately weaned completely off supplemental oxygen and discharged. One day after starting sunlight therapy, the patient's oxygen requirement dropped from 35L to 15L. Prone positioning has RCT-supported survival benefit in severe ARDS by improving ventilation-perfusion matching. The patient required 35 liters of oxygen at 100% concentration before sunlight therapy. Historical influenza pandemic data does not show a mortality benefit from ECMO. ECMO completely bypasses the lungs and requires continuous systemic anticoagulation, creating bleeding risk. High-flow nasal cannula generates a modest positive pressure effect that recruits collapsed alveoli, improving gas exchange beyond oxygen concentration alone. Mechanical ventilation is unlikely to be the primary driver of high ICU mortality; underlying oxidative stress and microthrombosis are.