Bi-level positive airway pressure ventilation in type II severe respiratory failure due to COPD

Objective To evaluate BiPAP ventilation in severe type II respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods Bi-level positive airway pressure(BiPAP) ventilation was added to conventional management,and arterial blood gas were measured before,and after 2～4 h,12～24h of BiPAP ventilation.Results After BiPAP,both PaCO_2 and pH were improved,improvements after 12～24 h of BiPAP ventilation were better than those after 2～4 h.PaO_2 increased after 2～4 h BiPAP ventilation but HCO~-_3 did not change.Of 26 patients,23 patients' showed improvements in symptoms and gas exchange.Effective rate was 88.5%.2cases were intubated due to failure of BiPAP ventilation,1case died without intubation.Conclusions BiPAP ventilation gas exchange and symptoms in severe type II respiratory failure due to COPD.