Noninvasive Ventilation: CPAP and BLPAP Are Equally Effective

Once used only by pulmonologists, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly being used in the emergency department for the treatment of patients with respiratory failure. In . . .

Once used only by pulmonologists, noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly being used in the emergency department for the treatment of patients with respiratory failure. In a prospective randomized trial conducted at three Australian teaching hospitals, researchers compared the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BLPAP, or BiPAP) in 101 patients who presented to the ED with acute respiratory failure.

Patients received either CPAP or BLPAP (initial levels, 5 or 5/10 cm H₂O, respectively, increasing in 5 cm increments) in addition to standard therapy for their conditions. Criteria for weaning from NIV were prospectively defined. The causes of acute respiratory failure included chron…

Reviewing Author

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP