OBJECTIVE: To identify which noninvasive ventilation (NIV) masks are most commonly used
and the problems related to the adaptation to such masks in critically ill
patients admitted to a hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: An observational study involving patients ≥ 18 years of age admitted to
intensive care units and submitted to NIV. The reason for NIV use, type of
mask, NIV regimen, adaptation to the mask, and reasons for non-adaptation to
the mask were investigated. RESULTS: We evaluated 245 patients, with a median age of 82 years. Acute respiratory
failure was the most common reason for NIV use (in 71.3%). Total face masks
were the most commonly used (in 74.7%), followed by full face masks and
near-total face masks (in 24.5% and 0.8%, respectively). Intermittent NIV
was used in 82.4% of the patients. Adequate adaptation to the mask was found
in 76% of the patients. Masks had to be replaced by another type of mask in
24% of the patients. Adequate adaptation to total face masks and full face
masks was found in 75.5% and 80.0% of the patients, respectively.
Non-adaptation occurred in the 2 patients using near-total facial masks. The
most common reason for non-adaptation was the shape of the face, in 30.5% of
the patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample, acute respiratory failure was the most common reason for NIV
use, and total face masks were the most commonly used. The most common
reason for non-adaptation to the mask was the shape of the face, which was
resolved by changing the type of mask employed.