British Thoracic Society Standards of Care Committee.
Non-invasive ventilation in acute respiratory failure: BTS Guideline.
Thorax 2002 Mar; 57 (3): 192-211.
Ver Abstract                    Texto Completo

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) refers to the provision of ventilatory support through the patient’s upper airway using a mask or similar device. This technique is distinguished from those which bypass the upper airway with a tracheal tube, laryngeal mask, or tracheostomy and are therefore considered invasive. In this document NIV refers to non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, and other less commonly used techniques such as external negative pressure or rocking beds will not be discussed. (NIPPV is an alternative abbreviation but it is more cumbersome and involves ambiguity as to whether "N" is for "non-invasive" or "nasal".). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in this document refers to the non-invasive application of positive airway pressure, again using a face or nasal mask rather than in conjunction with invasive techniques. Although it might be open to debate as to whether the use of non-invasive CPAP in acute respiratory failure constitutes ventilatory support, it is included in this document because of the confusion which commonly arises between NIV and CPAP in clinical practice. This document is aimed at those who wish to set up an acute NIV service. It is also intended to help those who are seeking to expand or consolidate existing facilities, particularly where purchasers require evidence of efficacy. The provision of long term NIV at home is not covered. NIV can be used as a treatment for breathlessness in the terminal stages of progressive neuromuscular disease, but this and other specialised applications will not be discussed further. Although NIV is being introduced into paediatric practice, the published evidence is not yet strong enough for recommendations to be made about its use in children.

---