Non Invasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure

Non-invasive ventilation has become an increasingly utilised tool for the treatment of acute respiratory failure. Potential benefits include a decreased incidence of intubation, duration of hospital stay and mortality. Non-invasive ventilation is also being used more and more outside the intensive care environment. Successful use of non invasive ventilation involves knowledge of its indications, contraindications and limitations, and appropriate patient selection. This article reviews these issues as well as the practical application of non invasive ventilation in the acute setting.