Effects of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation on gas exchange and patients' transformation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory failure

Objective This paper was to observe the effects of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) on gas exchange and patients' transformation and to evaluate their clinical value. Methods: Patients were randomly treated by either NPPV, or conventional medicine. The arterial blood gas readings, heart rates (HR), and respiratory rates (HR) were obtained at admission after the treatment. It was necessary to intubate when the clinical deterioation was marked by PaCO 270 mmHg, PaCO 2 gradually increasing 5～10 mmHg, pH decreasing 0.05～0.1 or mental obstacle, or PaO 2 45 mmHg. Results: NPPV significantly decreased the PaCO 2 level, HR, and RR, significantly increased the PaO 2 level, and also decreased the opportunity of intubation. Conclusion: The results suggest that NPPV can improve the gas exchange and reduce the need of intuba tion in COPD patients with acute respiratory failure.