Invasive versus Non-invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Complicated By Acute Respiratory Failure.

Introduction Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is frequently encountered as a medical emergency. AECOPD is the third leading medical cause of hospitalization due to acute respiratory failure (ARF). The utilization of ventilators for patients with ARF secondary to AECOPD has increased. There has been a major inclination towards utilization of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and sparing invasive positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) for life-threatening respiratory distress and/or in patients where NIPPV failure is observed. The aim of this observational study was to compare the clinical and laboratory parameters patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated by ARF admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods In the prospective observational study with known cases of COPD complicated by ARF, patients were grouped into NIPPV and IPPV groups based on their clinical and laboratory parameters. Thirty patients were included in each group. Demographic data was collected. Clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated at baseline and at 24 hours of ventilation. The outcome was assessed in terms of duration of ventilation, hospital and ICU stay and overall mortality. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Both IPPV and NIPPV groups demonstrated marked reduction in partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO