Non-invasive ventilation (NIV), which is now gaining popularity especially as a treatment for patients with hypoxemia, can be a meaningful strategy for a number of conditions, including acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

A scientific review carried out by medical researchers Patrycja Popowicz and Kenji Leonard from East Carolina University-Vidant Medical Center, underlined the potential of NIV treatment for conditions in COPD dependent on when and how the clinician can go for it.  The review, published in the journal Surgical Clinics of North America, explained that NIV treatment modalities include nasal cannula, simple masks, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), among others, which are marked by their ease of use. The researchers point out that it can avoid the complications directly related to intubation and mechanical ventilation can be avoided, such as aspiration, trauma to surrounding structures, barotrauma, (and) ventilator-associated pneumonia. Although NIV treatments hold potential in alleviating several problems associated with other treatment methods, including for the COVID infections, it was poorly tolerated in patients who were minimally acidotic, the researchers wrote.