Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation

The use of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in selected patients with acute respiratory failure has been shown to reduce endotracheal intubation and associated complications. This chapter begins by providing the principles of NPPV, followed by a discussion on the benefits, indications, contraindications, and use of NPPV in disease states. NPPV success depends on patient tolerance, which is affected by interface type, ventilator, and settings. Patients failing a trial of NPPV should be promptly intubated. Delay in intubation is associated with increase in mortality. The predictors of success and failure of NPPV is then listed. Further, the chapter provides the guidelines for using the NPPV and explains how to manage the patient on NPPV. It ends with information on the complications associated with NPPV.