Non-Invasive Ventilation in Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure

Abstract

Non-invasive Ventilation (NIV) has emerged as an useful aid for management of pulmonary diseases specifically in cases of respiratory failure. NIV provides respiratory support without the need of an endotracheal tube, helping in avoiding the complications associated with intubation such as tracheal trauma, infection, bleeding, injury to the lung tissues and aspiration. NIV has turned out to provide substantial benefit in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiogenic pulmonary edema and in cases of neuromuscular disorders. It has now become an integral tool in the management of respiratory failure, both at home as well as hospital settings including critical care units. All patients of respiratory failure irrespective of causes likeAcute exacerbations of COPD, Acute pulmonary edema, Exacerbations of cystic fibrosis, asthma, or restrictive lung disease and Pneumonia admitted in intensive care unit/high dependent units are suitable for NIV. Noninvasive ventilation is standard of care in chronic respiratory failure and has replaced invasive ventilation in such settings. Its flexibility in use and ease of administration allows it to be acceptable by patients as well as caregivers.