title: The application of bi-level positive airway pressure in patients with severe pneumonia and acute respiratory failure caused by influenza A (H1N1) virus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of noninvasive Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) ventilation on the severe influenza A virus associated with pneumonia and acute respiratory failure (ARF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on conventional therapy via face mask using BiPAP ventilator positive airway pressure ventilation in the treatment of severe pneumonia caused by influenza A (H1N1) virus with acute respiratory failure (ARF) in 18 cases, we observed and evaluated the therapeutic effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PaO2 and SaO2 before and after treatment were (48.85 ± 12.15)mmHg, (68.56 ± 16.25) mmHg and (80 ± 6)%, (92 ± 5)%, respectively. The results were significantly different (P<0.05) before and after treatment. Endotracheal intubation rate was 25% (6/24) and case-fatality rate was 8.3% (2/24).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BiPAP ventilator airway pressure by face mask ventilation can reduce the rate of endotracheal intubation in the treatment of severe pneumonia caused by influenza A (H1N1) virus in acute respiratory failure. It could be an effective approach in the emergency treatment with clinical value.
authors.affiliation: The Respiration Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, PR China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shucheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peng