Hemodynamic effects of noninvasive bilevel positive airway pressure on patients with chronic congestive heart failure with systolic dysfunction

Context

BiPAP is often used as a means to support ventilation in episodes of respiratory distress, especially during CHF. It is often observed that successful application results in decreased respiratory effort, improved gas exchange, and avoidance of intubation. This study used echocardiography to demonstrate that even a brief application of BiPAP results in favorable hemodynamic changes, including increased cardiac output. Of particular interest is that these changes are present to a small degree after BiPAP is discontinued. Although favorable changes tend toward baseline, it suggests the possibility that longer periods of BiPAP may result in more prolonged improvements in hemodynamics, and perhaps provide relief to CHF symptoms.