OBJECTIVE To describe our experience with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) in the emergency department (ED). METHODS A prospective/retrospective, observational study on 190 patients with ARF (mean +/-SD age 72.2+/-12.9 years, mean APACHE II score 18.9+/-5.9), who received 200 NIV trials in an ED. We analysed the NIV register data (prospectively ...

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) appears to improve survival and quality of life in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but little is known about predictors of NIV tolerance. NIV use was assessed and clinical predictors of tolerance were investigated, using predictive modeling, in ALS patients diagnosed and followed in our clinic until death over a 4-year time period. Patients were ...

BACKGROUND Respiratory involvement in neuromuscular disorders may contribute to impaired breathing-swallowing interactions, swallowing disorders and malnutrition. We investigated whether the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) controlled by the patient could improve swallowing performances in a population of neuromuscular patients requiring daytime NIV. METHODS Ten neuromuscular patients wi...

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is under-utilized, despite robust evidence supporting its use in appropriately selected patients with acute respiratory failure. Diffusion of NIV into practice requires that clinicians view it as better than invasive ventilation, that it is perceived as compatible with existing approaches to mechanical ventilation, that it is not too difficult to apply, that it is ...

PURPOSE Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is a common life-threatening complication in morbidly obese patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS). We aimed to identify the determinants of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) success or failure for this indication. METHODS We prospectively included 76 consecutive patients with BMI>40 kg/m2 diagnosed with OHS and treated by NIV for ARF in a 15-...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews the use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF), with a critical review of the most recent literature in this setting. RECENT FINDINGS The efficacy of NIV is variable depending on the cause of the episode of ARF. In community-acquired pneumonia, NIV is often associated with poor response, with better response in ...

AIM To describe the current use of non-invasive ventilation in UK emergency departments. METHODS A structured questionnaire was sent to all UK emergency departments assessing 25,000 new patients annually. RESULTS 222 of 233 departments completed the questionnaire. 148 currently use non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Most used NIV for either cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (n = 128) or chronic obs...

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has become a standard of care for patients with exacerbation of COPD and cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Studies have also sought to determine the effectiveness of NIV in exacerbation of asthma. Studies have investigated radioaerosol particle distribution to help explain the effects of NIV in normals and in those with asthma. In addition, NIV has been combined with ne...

BACKGROUND To identify predictors of successful noninvasive ventilation (NIV) treatment for patients with acute respiratory failure. METHODS This was a prospective intervention study of the intensive care unit of a teaching hospital in Chia-Yi, Taiwan. Patients were enrolled if they had acute respiratory failure and had been admitted to the intensive care unit of our hospital between October ...