North Trent Critical Care Network

Written by Critical Care The use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who are not eligible for NPPV because of their incapability to spontaneously eliminate accumulated secretions associated with hypercapnic encephalopathy (HE) is not recommended and as often consideredas a contra-indication. In a case control-study, an experimented team reported the feasibility and safety of the use of NPPV with early fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FBO) in selected acutely decompensate COPD patients with HE and inability to spontaneously clear copious secretions. The reported data suggested that this innovative therapeutic may be considered as a potential alternative to endotracheal intubation.

Authors: Samir JABER

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