Studies employing noninvasive pressure support ventilation in cardiogenic pulmonary edema have been performed in the intensive care unit when overt respiratory failure is already present and in small groups of patients. In this multicenter study, performed in emergency departments, 130 patients with acute respiratory failure were randomized to receive medical therapy plus O2 (65 patients) or noninvasive pressure support ventilation (65 patients). The primary end point was the need for intubation; secondary end points were in-hospital mortality and changes in some physiological variables. Noninvasive pressure support ventilation improved PaO2/FIO2, respiratory rate, and dyspnea significantly faster. Intubation rate, hospital mortality, and duration of hospital stay were similar in the two groups. In the subgroup of hypercapnic patients noninvasive pressure support ventilation improved PaCO2 significantly faster and reduced the intubation rate compared with medical therapy (2 of 33 versus 9 of 31; p=0.015). Adverse events, including myocardial infarction, were evenly distributed in the two groups. We conclude that during acute respiratory failure due to cardiogenic pulmonary edema the early use of noninvasive pressure support ventilation accelerates the improvement in PaO2/FIO2, PaCO2, dyspnea, and respiratory rate, but does not affect the overall clinical outcome. Noninvasive pressure support ventilation does, however, reduce the intubation rate in the subgroup of hypercapnic patients.

Non invasive ventilation (NIV) in acute respiratory failure (ARF) improve clinical parameters, arterial blood gases, decrease mortality and endo tracheal intubation (ETI) rate also outside the intensive care units (ICUs). Objective of this study is to verify applicability of NIV in a general non respiratory medical ward. We enrolled 68 consecutive patients (Pts) with Hypoxemic or Hyper capnic ARF: acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE), exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Pneu - monia, acute lung injury / acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS). NIV treatment was CPAP or PSV + PEEP. 12 Pts (18,5%) met primary endpoint (NIV failure): 11 Pts (17%) needed ETI (5ALI/ARDS p < 0,0001, 6COPD 16,6%), 1 Patient (1,5%) died (Pneumonia). No Pts with ACPE failed (p = 0,0027). Secondary endpoints: significant improvement in Respiratory Rate (RR), Kelly Score, pH, PaCO2, PaO2 vs baseline. Median duration of treatment: 16:06 hours: COPD 18:54, ACPE 4:15. Mean length of hospitalisation: 8.66 days. No patients discontinued NIV, no side effects. Results are consistent with literature. Hypoxemic ARF related to ALI/ARDS and pneumonia show worst outcome: it is not advisable to manage these conditions with NIV outside the ICU. NIV for ARF due to COPD and ACPE is feasible, safe and effective in a general medical ward if selection of Pts, staff’s training and monitoring are appropriate. This should encourage the diffusion of NIV in this specific setting. According to strong evidences in literature, NIV should be considered a first line and standard treatment in these clinical conditions irrespective of the setting

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