title: Successful use of nasal BiPAP in three patients previously requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation.
abstract: Noninvasive mask ventilation may be used to treat patients with impending respiratory failure. In this case series, three patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who required mechanical ventilation in the past, were successfully treated with nasal bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP). All patients tolerated BiPAP well without complications. Therefore, nasal BiPAP may be considered a treatment option for patients with severe COPD who have previously required intubation and mechanical ventilation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44109, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Poponick
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Renston
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Emerman
mesh_terms: D018806:APACHE; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D007902:Length of Stay; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D008875:Middle Aged; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D015300:Ventilator Weaning