Background The term non-invasive ventilation (NIV) refers to the application of artificial ventilation without any conduit access to the airways i.e., without an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube. Recently, NIV has assumed a prominent role in the management of acute respiratory failure. By avoiding endotracheal intubation, NIV prevents complications associated with invasive ventilation like air...

Background: Domiciliary non-invasive ventilation may be used in palliative care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, although there is uncertainty regarding effect on quality of life. Aim: Explore experiences of domiciliary non-invasive ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, to understand decisionmaking processes and improve future palliative care. Design: Qual...

BACKGROUND The current frequency of noninvasive (NIV) and invasive mechanical ventilation use in asthma exacerbations (AEs) and the relationship to outcomes are unknown. METHODS We used the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify patients discharged with a principal diagnosis of AE. For each discharge, we determined whether NIV or invasive mechanical ve...

BACKGROUND: We sought to identify risk factors for mechanical ventilation in patients with malignancies and acute respiratory failure (ARF). METHODS: We analyzed data from a previous randomized controlled trial in which nonintubated oncology and hematology subjects with ARF were randomized to early bronchoalveolar lavage or routine care in 16 ICUs in France. Consecutive patients with malignanci...

BACKGROUND Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is increasingly used in the treatment of acute respiratory failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to identify simple parameters to predict the success of this technique. METHODS Fifty nine episodes of acute respiratory failure in 47 patients with COPD treated with non-invasive mechanical v...

BACKGROUND Domiciliary non-invasive ventilation may be used in palliative care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, although there is uncertainty regarding effect on quality of life. AIM Explore experiences of domiciliary non-invasive ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, to understand decision-making processes and improve future palliative care. DESIGN Qu...

In an effort to reduce the complications related to invasive ventilation, the use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has increased over the last years in patients with acute respiratory failure. However, failure rates for NIV remain high in specific patient categories. Several studies have identified factors that contribute to NIV failure, including low experience of the medical team and patient-...

OBJECTIVE To discuss the clinical indications and complications of non-invasive ventilation. DATA SOURCES A review of articles published in peer-reviewed journals from 1966 to 1998 and identified through a MEDLINE search on non-invasive ventilation. SUMMARY OF REVIEW Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been used in patients with respiratory failure caused by cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, acu...