BACKGROUND Application noninvasive ventilation in the patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reduced mortality. This case-control study was designed to compare efficiency and outcome of non-invasive (NIV) versus invasive positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) in respiratory failure due to COPD. METHODS The patients were assigned to NIV or IPPV intermittantly....

BACKGROUND The higher mortality rate in untreated patients with obesity-associated hypoventilation is a strong rationale for long-term noninvasive ventilation (NIV). The impacts of comorbidities, medications and NIV compliance on survival of these patients remain largely unexplored. METHODS Observational cohort of hypercapnic obese patients initiated on NIV between March 2003 and July 2008. S...

Paramyxoviruses are known to replicate in the cytoplasm and bud from the plasma membrane. Matrix is the major structural protein in paramyxoviruses that mediates viral assembly and budding. Curiously, the matrix proteins of a few paramyxoviruses have been found in the nucleus, although the biological function associated with this nuclear localization remains obscure. We report here that the nuc...

BACKGROUND Reintubation is associated with high mortality. Identification of methods to avoid reintubation is needed. The aim of this study was to assess whether prophylactic noninvasive ventilation (NIV) would benefit patients with various cough strengths. METHODS We prospectively enrolled 356 patients who successfully passed a spontaneous breathing trial in a respiratory intensive care unit...

BACKGROUND Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) is one of the most serious complications after cardiovascular surgery. It remains unclear whether noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has potential as an effective therapy for AHRF after cardiovascular surgery, although many reports have described the use of NIV for AHRF after extubation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness ...

The selection of patients with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) to receive noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is challenging, partly because there are few reliable selection criteria. The study by Rana and colleagues in the previous issue of Critical Care identifies metabolic acidosis and a lower oxygenation index as predictors of NIV failure, although it is unable to...

BACKGROUND The purpose of the study was to analyze the characteristics and evolution of non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) in the postoperative period of heart surgery in children. METHODS Retrospective observational study including all children requiring NIV after heart surgery in a single center pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between 2001 and 2012. Demographic characteristics, ...

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) represents the standard of care in acute respiratory failure.1 In acute hypercapnic ventilatory failure due to COPD exacerbations and acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema, NIV is without doubt highly effective in terms of reduced intubation rates and mortality.2,3 As a consequence of the growing amount of evidence for these benefits, NIV use has been ever increasing d...

Although noninvasive ventilation (NIV) was first used to treat patients with acute respiratory failure in the 1940s, the history of this mainstay of today's respiratory care armamentarium has mainly been written in the last 20 years. There is now a robust evidence base documenting the efficacy of NIV in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and acu...

Symptoms of nocturnal hypoventilation may negatively influence the quality of life (QoL) of ALS patients long before respiratory failure ensues. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) is considered a treatment option for nocturnal hypoventilation. The primary objective of NIV is improving quality of life (QoL). It may also prolong life by several months. A systematic review of the literature...