DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i02.033

Pages: 689-692

Non-invasive ventilation has been shown to be an effective in the mangement of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, particularly in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The priority of non-invasive ventilation over invasive ventilation has grown over the time, as it leaves the upper airway intact, preserves airway defence mechanisms and allows patients to eat, drink, verbalise and expectorate secretions. Non-invasive ventilation also has the benefit of decreased infectious complications of mechanical ventilation. Fifty patients of respiratory failure admitted in intensive care unit / ward of the tertiary care centre were enrolled for the study. The demographic details, clinical features as well as pre existing lung conditions were recorded and the outcome was studied. Non-invasive ventilation was successful in 64% patients. In those where non-invasive ventilation failed, mortality was high to the tune of 50%. Non-invasive ventilation has a high success rate in both type I and type II respiratory failure. Lower oxygen saturation, lower pH and a higher pCO2 worsens the outcome.