Chapter 12: Respiratory care, CPR and blood transfusion
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Related theory
NIV has been established as a useful and safe method of respiratory support in individuals with a variety of aetiologies of respiratory compromise, such as acute respiratory failure, exacerbations of COPD and acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (Corrêa et al. [50]). If initiated in a timely manner and competently managed, NIV may be used as a strategy to prevent tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation in appropriately selected patients and may thus reduce mortality and morbidity (NCEPOD [178]).
NIV may be indicated for patients with respiratory compromise if they are conscious, co‐operative and able to tolerate the interface used to deliver this type of ventilation (i.e. face‐mask, nasal mask or helmet). Patients who present with acute respiratory failure, especially in the presence of hypercapnia, may have symptoms of drowsiness; however, providing they have the ability to protect their airway, NIV can be a useful and effective management strategy (Vadde and Pastores [277]).
