Efficacy and tolerability of non-invasive ventilation delivered via a newly developed helmet in immunosuppressed patients with acute respiratory failure.
OBJECTIVE
To assess efficacy and tolerability of a newly developed helmet for the delivery of non-invasive ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure.


METHODS
Ten consecutive immunocompromised patients with acute respiratory failure admitted to our intensive care unit were included in the study. The patients were equipped with the helmet and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) was performed. Oxygenation and tolerability were assessed during the first 24 hours of NIV.


RESULTS
All patients tolerated the helmet well and their oxygenation improved. Two patients developed septic shock and had to be endotracheally intubated during the study period, eight patients survived to be weaned from NIV.


CONCLUSIONS
NIV delivered via the helmet is effective and may serve as a better tolerated alternative to endotracheal intubation and to NIV via a standard face mask.
Rabitsch
Werner
W
Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. werner.rabitsch@akh-wien.ac.at
Schellongowski
Peter
P
Köstler
Wolfgang J
WJ
Stoiser
Brigitte
B
Knöbl
Paul
P
Locker
Gottfried J
GJ
Sperr
Wolfgang
W
Burgmann
Heinz
H
Herkner
Harald
H
Keil
Felix
F
Frass
Michael
M
Staudinger
Thomas
T
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000150:complications; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors