Non-invasive ventilation for cancer patients with life-support techniques limitation.
OBJECTIVE
The study was conducted to determine the usefulness and efficacy of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in cancer patients with "life-support techniques limitation" admitted for an acute respiratory distress, in terms of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital discharges.


METHODS
A total of 18 consecutive cancer patients (17 with solid tumours and one with haematological malignancy) with "life-support techniques limitation" in acute respiratory failure and who benefited from NIV were included. NIV was provided with a standard face mask by the BiPAP Vision ventilator (Respironics Inc.). Variables related to the demographic parameters, SAPS II score, cancer characteristics, intensive care data and hospital discharge were recorded.


RESULTS
Complications leading to NIV were hypoxemic respiratory failure in 11 patients and hypercapnic respiratory failure in seven. Total median duration of NIV was 29 h. NIV was applied during a median of 2.5 days with a median of 16 h per day. Total median ICU stay was 7 days (range 1-21). Fourteen and ten patients were discharged from ICU and from hospital, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
NIV appears to be an effective ventilation support for cancer patients with "life-support techniques limitation".
Meert
Anne-Pascale
AP
Department of Intensive Care and Thoracic Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, Belgium. ap.meert@bordet.be
Berghmans
Thierry
T
Hardy
Michel
M
Markiewicz
Eveline
E
Sculier
Jean-Paul
JP
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency; D016414:Resuscitation Orders; D016896:Treatment Outcome