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Open Access Highly Accessed Research

Failure of non-invasive ventilation in patients with acute lung injury: observational cohort study

Sameer Rana1, Hussam Jenad1, Peter C Gay1, Curtis F Buck2, Rolf D Hubmayr1 and Ognjen Gajic1*

Author Affiliations

1 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota USA

2 Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Intensive Care and Respiratory Care, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota USA

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Critical Care 2006, 10:R79 doi:10.1186/cc4923


See related commentary by Garpestad and Hill, http://ccforum.com/content/10/4/147

Published: 12 May 2006

Abstract

Introduction

The role of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI) is controversial. We sought to assess the outcome of ALI that was initially treated with NIPPV and to identify specific risk factors for NIPPV failure.

Methods

In this observational cohort study at the two intensive care units of a tertiary center, we identified consecutive patients with ALI who were initially treated with NIPPV. Data on demographics, APACHE III scores, degree of hypoxemia, ALI risk factors and NIPPV respiratory parameters were recorded. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for NIPPV failure.

Results

Of 79 consecutive patients who met the inclusion criteria, 23 were excluded because of a do not resuscitate order and two did not give research authorization. Of the remaining 54 patients, 38 (70.3%) failed NIPPV, among them all 19 patients with shock. In a stepwise logistic regression restricted to patients without shock, metabolic acidosis (odds ratio 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03 to 0.07 per unit of base deficit) and severe hypoxemia (odds ratio 1.03, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.05 per unit decrease in ratio of arterial partial pressure of O2 and inspired O2 concentration – PaO2/FiO2) predicted NIPPV failure. In patients who failed NIPPV, the observed mortality was higher than APACHE predicted mortality (68% versus 39%, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

NIPPV should be tried very cautiously or not at all in patients with ALI who have shock, metabolic acidosis or profound hypoxemia.