title: Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure.
abstract: This article provides a systematic review of the literature on the application of noninvasive ventilation in various forms of hypercapnic and hypoxemic respiratory failures. A description of the underlying pathophysiology is followed by a review of physiologic data explaining the mechanisms of action of noninvasive ventilation. A critical review of clinical studies is presented with specific suggestions. The methodology of correctly implementing and monitoring noninvasive ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure, critical to success, is detailed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis, College of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: G U
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Meduri
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000208:Acute Disease; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D017214:Laryngeal Masks; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D018579:Patient Selection; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*