Study of the early use of noninvasive positive-pressive ventilationin acute exacerbations of COPD

Objective: To estimate the early use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in acute exacerbations of COPD.Methods: 90 COPD cases with hypercapnia were involved in the study.The patients were randomized into two groups (BiPAP and standard-therapy group).Standard-therapy group was control group.All the cases were recorded blood gas analysis at beginning and in 2, 24, 48, 72 and 7d respectively.Results: The groups had similar clinical characteristics and gas exchange at the beginning of trial.PaCO_2 was significantly decreased in BiPAP group in the trial.Compared with standard-therapy group, BiPAP also lowered the rate of endotracheal intubation (P0.05) and the lenth of hospital stay (P0.01).There is no difference in hospital mortality.Conclusion: The early application of NIPPV (BiPAP) to standard medical therapy does improve blood gas outcome in patients who develop hypercapnia and lower the rate of endotracheal intubation and the lenth of hospital stay.