Abstract

Non-invasive ventilation has become an increasingly utilised tool for the treatment of acute respiratory failure. Potential benefits include a decreased incidence of intubation, duration of hospital stay and mortality. Non invasive ventilation is also being used more and more outside the intensive care environment. Successful use of non invasive ventilation involves knowledge of its indications, contraindications and limitations, and appropriate patient selection. This article reviews these issues as well as the practical application of non invasive ventilation in the acute setting.
[download-attachments container="div" style="list" display_icon="1" display_count="1" display__size="0"]

References

1. Brochard L, Isabey D, Piquet J, et al; Reversal of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive lung disease by inspiratory assistance with a facemask. N Engl J Med 1990; 323: 1523-1530.
2. Plant PK, Owen JL, Elliot MW. Early use of non-invasive ventilation for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on general respiratory wards: a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2000; 355: 1931-1935.
3. Brochard L, Mancebo J, Wysocki M, et al; Non invasive ventilation for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. N Engl J Med 1995; 333: 817-822.
4. Keenan SP, Sinuff T, Cook DJ, Hill NS. Which patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease benefit from non-invasive positive pressure ventilation. Ann Intern Med 2003; 138: 861-870.
5. Barbe F, Togores B, Rubi M, et al; Non-invasive ventilatory support does not facilitate recovery from acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Eur Respir J 1996; 9: 1240-1245.
6. Poponick JM, Renston JP, Bennett RP, Emerman CL. Use of a ventilatory support system (BiPAP) for acute respiratory failure in the Emergency Department. Chest 1999; 116: 166-171.
7. Meduri GU, Cook TR, Turner RE, et al; Non invasive positive pressure ventilation in status asthmaticus. Chest 1996; 110: 767-774.
8. Barach AL, Martin J, Eckman M. Positive pressure respiration and its application to the treatment of acute pulmonary oedema. Ann Intern Med 1938; 12: 754-795.
9. Mehta S, Jay GD, Woolard RH, et al; Randomized, prospective trial of bilevel versus continuous positive pressure airway pressure in acute pulmonary oedema. Crit Care Med 1997; 25: 620-628.
10. Confalonieri M, Potena A, Carbone G, et al; Acute respiratory failure in patients with severe community acquired pneumonia: a prospective randomised evaluation of non-invasive ventilation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1999; 160: 1585-1591.
11. Jolliet P, Abajo B, Pasquina P, et al; Non-invasive pressure support ventilation in severe community acquired pneumonia. Intensive Care Med 2001; 27: 812-821.
12. Hilbert G, Gruson D, Vargas F, et al; Noninvasive ventilation in immunosuppressed patients with pulmonary infiltrates, fever and acute respiratory failure. N Engl J Med 2001; 344: 481-487.
13. Garfield M, Howard-Griffin RM. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for severe thoracic trauma. Brit J Anaesth 2000; 85: 788-90.
14. Chevorolet JC, Jolliet P, Abajo B, et al; Nasal positive pressure ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure: difficult and time consuming procedure for nurses. Chest 1991; 100: 775-782.
15. Kramer N, Meyer TJ, Meharg J, et al; Randomized, prospective trial of non invasive positive pressure ventilation in acute respiratory failure. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1995; 151: 1799-1806.
16. Keenan SP, Gregor J, Sibbald WJ, et al; Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in the setting of severe, acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: more effective and less expensive. Crit Care Med 2000; 28: 2094-2102.