Noninvasive Ventilation Is Safe and Effective in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Noninvasive ventilation is a reasonable alternative to immediate endotracheal intubation in patients with acute decompensated heart failure who require assisted ventilation.

Although noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is frequently used to treat patients with acute decompensated heart failure, its efficacy and safety have remained controversial. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of NIV, researchers retrospectively analyzed data from the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry (ADHERE) for patients who were admitted from emergency departments. Among patients with complete data, 34,942 did not receive NIV or endotracheal intubation (no ventilation), 1688 received NIV and did not require any other airway support (successful NIV), 72 received NIV but ultimately required intubation (failed NIV), and 670 received only intubation.

Rates of in-hospital mortality were 3.2% in the no-ventilation group, 7.9% in th…

Reviewing Author

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)

Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardSecurisyn

Editorial boardsThe Merck Manuals (Home and Physician Editions)