What is noninvasive positive pressure ventilation?
With NIPPV, the patient wears a tightly fitting nasal or full facial mask, avoiding the need for an endotracheal tube, laryngeal mask, or tracheostomy (Figure 1).2 The mask can be connected to a standard mechanical ventilator or, more commonly, to a continuous positive airway pressure or bi-level airway pressure unit. NIPPV has been used with variable success in a variety of conditions, including COPD exacerbations,3–6 acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema,7 hypoxemic respiratory failure,8 and ventilator weaning.
