Review: adding non-invasive positive pressure ventilation to usual care reduces treatment failure in respiratory failureNon-invasive positive pressure ventilation for treatment of respiratory failure due to exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Ram FSF, Picot J, Lightowler J, et al. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for treatment of respiratory failure due to exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004; (3):CD004104.RamFSFPicotJLightowlerJet alNon-invasive positive pressure ventilation for treatment of respiratory failure due to exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Cochrane Database Syst Rev20043CD004104Q In patients with respiratory failure precipitated by an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) plus usual care more effective than usual care alone for reducing rates of treatment failure, all cause mortality, and endotracheal intubation?

For correspondence: Dr F S F Ram, National Collaborating Centre for Women and Children’s Health, London, UK. [email protected]

Source of funding: no external funding.