BiPAP No Better than High-Flow Oxygen Mask for CHF?

Intubation and mechanical ventilation are standard treatments for respiratory failure, but they are not without risk. This author assessed whether a bi-level positive airway pressure . . .

Intubation and mechanical ventilation are standard treatments for respiratory failure, but they are not without risk. This author assessed whether a bi-level positive airway pressure device (BiPAP) reduces the intubation rate and improves cardiopulmonary parameters in patients presenting to the emergency department with severe congestive heart failure (CHF). The study was terminated prematurely when a paper was published indicating that BiPAP use portends a greater risk of acute myocardial infarction than does intubation.

A convenience sample of 38 patients was randomized to receive treatment using either a BiPAP (21 patients) or high-flow oxygen by mask (MASK group; 17 patients). Intubation and other treatments were administered at the disc…

Reviewing Author

Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP