Effect of non-invasive ventilation in treating acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with respiratory failure

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of non-invasive ventilation with bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) with respiratory failure. Methods Fifty AECOPD patients with respiratory failure were randomly divided into two groups: the patients in BiPAP group were managed with BiPAP in addition to the routine treatment; the patients in the control group were managed with the routine treatment, including low-density oxygen therapy. Arterial blood gas (pH, PaCO2, PaO2) and rate of tracheal intubation were compared before and after treatment. Results In BiPAP group the pH, PaCO2 and PaO2 were(7.30±0.05), (71.5±8.3)mmHg and (68.6±5.2) mmHg after 2h of treatment; those after 72 h were 7.39±0.02, (80.4±7.8)mmHg, (51.4±6.3) mmHg. In control group the pH, PaCO2 and PaO2 were (7.26±0.03),(65.4±6.8)mmHg and (74.6±6.2)mmHg after 2h of treatment; a those after 72 h were (7.32±0.02),(69.6±6.7)mmHg and (63.9±5.5)mmHg. There were significant differences in arterial blood gas between two groups. The rate of tracheal intubation was higher in the control groupcompared with the treat group. Conclusion The non-invasive ventilation with BiPAP is effective in management of AECOPD patients with respiratory failure and should be recommended.