Chest
Volume 109, Issue 1, January 1996, Pages 179-193
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Clinical Investigations in Critical Care
Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation Via Face Mask: First-Line Intervention in Patients With Acute Hypercapnic and Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure

https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.109.1.179Get rights and content

Objectives

We have previously reported our experience with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) via face mask in a small group of selected patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). NPPV was frequently effective (70% success rate) in correcting gas exchange abnormalities and in avoiding endotracheal intubation (ETI); NPPV also had a low rate of complications. We have evaluated the clinical application of NPPV as first-line intervention in patients with hypercapnic and short-term hypoxemic ARF. A dedicated respiratory therapist conducted an educational program with physicians-in-training rotating through the medical ICUs of a university medical center and supervised implementation of a simplified management protocol. Over 24 months, 164 patients with heterogeneous forms of ARF received NPPV. We report on the effectiveness of NPPV in correcting gas exchange abnormalities, in avoiding ETI, and associated complications, in different conditions precipitating ARF.

Patient population

One hundred fifty-eight patients completed the study. Forty-one had hypoxemic ARF, 52 had hypercapnic ARF, 22 had hypercapnic acute respiratory insufficiency (ARI), 17 had other forms of ARF, and 26 with advanced illness had ARF and refused intubation. Twenty-five percent of the patients developed ARF after extubation.

Intervention

Mechanical ventilation was delivered via a face mask. Initial ventilatory settings were continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mode, 5 cm H2O, with pressure support ventilation of 10 to 20 cm H2O titrated to achieve a respiratory rate less than 25 breaths/min and an exhaled tidal volume of 7 mL/kg or more. Ventilator settings were adjusted following arterial blood gases (ABG) results.

Results

The mean duration of NPPV was 25 ±24 h. When the 26 patients with advanced illness are excluded, NPPV was effective in improving or correcting gas exchange abnormalities in 105 patients (80%) and avoiding ETI in 86 (65%). Failure to improve ABG values was the reason for ETI in 20 of 46 (43%). The overall average predicted and actual mortality were 32% and 16%, respectively. Survival was 93% in nonintubated patients and 79% in intubated patients. NPPV was effective in lessening dyspnea throughout treatment in all but seven patients. Complications developed in 24 patients (16%). In patients with hypercapnic ARF, nonresponders had a higher PaCO2 at entrance (91.5±4.2 vs 80±1.5; p<0.01). In patients with hypercapnic ARF and ARI, arterial blood gases response (pH and PaCO2) within 2 h of NPPV predicted success (p<0.0001). None of the entrance parameters predicted need for ETI.

Conclusions

We conclude that application of NPPV in clinical practice is an effective and safe alternative to ETI in many hemodynamically stable patients with hypercapnic ARF and in those with hypoxemic ARF in whom the clinical condition can be readily reversed in 48 to 72 h. An educational and supervision program is essential to successfully implement this form of therapy.

Section snippets

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted from March 1992 to March 1994 at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis in the medical ICUs of the Regional Medical Center and Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. An educational program was conducted monthly by a dedicated RT for house staff and fellows rotating through these medical ICUs and for ICU nurses and RTs. This program included an instructional videotape to demonstrate methodology of

RESULTS

Over the 24-month period of the study, the number of patients receiving MV with either ETI or NPPV in the two medical ICUs was 674, an average of 28 per month. During that interval, NPPV was attempted in 164 patients (24%), including 26 patients who had refused intubation prior to study entry. NPPV was successful in avoiding intubation in 65% (86/132) of the patients in which it was attempted and in 13% (86/642) of all patients receiving MV. Most patients in whom NPPV was not attempted had

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, the present study is the largest published experience using NPPV as first-line intervention in a heterogeneous population of patients with ARF. This study has limitations related to the reality of clinical investigation in a teaching center. Many of the patients with ARF admitted to the ICU were already intubated in the emergency department or the ward. Despite this, in the last 14 months of the study, 36% of all patients with ARF received NPPV. Over the 2-year period of the

CONCLUSION

The findings of this large prospective observational study confirm our and others' previous reports on the effectiveness of NPPV in correcting gas exchange abnormalities and avoiding intubation in selected patients with ARF. The protocol was simple to implement and monitor. Education of physicians in training and direct supervision by an experienced RT were essential to the success of the project. NPPV proved to be effective, comfortable, and safe. Duration of ventilation was short, confirming

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to recognize the enthusiastic support from pulmonary attendings and fellows, therapists, nurses, and house staff during the period of the study, and Dr. D. Armbruster for editorial review.

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