Non-invasive mechanical ventilation with average volume-assured pressure support. Results according to the aetiology of acute respiratory failure

Abstract

The results observed when using non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) in the management of acute respiratory failure are variable [1][2][3]. This variability can be attributed to the heterogeneity of the different groups of subjects, in which greater success is demonstrated when NIV is used in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or congestive heart failure exacerbated by infection [4,5].In daily practice, NIV has become a common treatment method for patients with acute respira-