无创正压通气在心外科术后患者中的应用

目的:回顾性研究无创正压通气(NPPV)对心外科体外循环(CPB)术后出现急性呼吸衰竭(ARF)患者的安全性和有效性。方法:回顾本院心外科全麻CPB术后成年患者(年龄>16岁)450例,其中24例在拔管后出现ARF,根据ARF的病因分为6例肺炎、7例心源性肺水肿、11例CPB相关性肺损伤,比较NPPV使用前、后1h的氧合指数、心率、呼吸次数和动脉血pH,并用患者围手术期的临床特征作为参数来分析NPPV失败的预测因素。结果:NPPV平均使用时间(12.33±11.97)h,氧合指数、心率、呼吸次数和动脉血pH在使用前、后1h均明显改善(均P<0.01)。NPPV使66.67%的患者避免再次气管插管,其中对心源性肺水肿和CPB相关性肺损伤的疗效满意,成功率分别是85.71%和90.91%;而肺炎的患者均失败。所有患者均无NPPV并发症。有意义的单因素预测因素是NPPV治疗后1h的PaO2/FiO2<200,初次机械通气的时间和肺炎,多因素分析显示肺炎是预测NPPV失败的独立因素(OR0.063;95%CI 0.008～0.501)。结论:心外科CPB术后患者拔管后出现ARF,NPPV可以有效改善肺部氧合,减低再次气管插管的需要,但要严格选择病例。     

无创机械通气在ARDS治疗中的应用

目的探讨无创机械通气治疗急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)患者的临床疗效。方法对20例ARDS患者采用无创机械通气,根据治疗效果分为成功组和失败组。记录两组病人治疗前后心率(HR)、呼吸频率(RR)、氧合指数(PaO2/FiO2)、氧分压(PaO2)、二氧化碳分压(PaCO2)、血氧饱和度(SaO2)。结果无创机械通气成功组11例均为ARDS早期患者,治疗2h后PaO2/FiO2、HR、PaO2、SaO2、RR都有明显好转。无创机械通气治疗失败组全为呼吸窘迫较严重的ARDS患者,治疗2h后PaO2/FiO2、HR、PaO2、PaCO2、SaO2、RR无明显变化。结论无创机械通气对部分ARDS患者有良好的通气支持作用,尤其是ARDS的早期阶段。     

平均容积保证压力支持无创通气在慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并急性呼吸衰竭中的应用

目的:评价平均容积保证压力支持(AVAPS)无创通气技术在慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)合并急性呼吸衰竭中的应用效果。方法:回顾分析重症监护病房(ICU)185例使用无创正压通气(NPPV)治疗的COPD急性加重(AECOPD)合并急性呼吸衰竭的患者,根据NPPV模式分为对照组(105例)和AVAPS组(80例)。分别在NPPV治疗1 h及24 h后,观察通气参数潮气量(V T)、每分通气量(MV)、气道峰压(PIP)、呼气压力(EPAP)及呼吸频率(RR)的变化;比较2组通气前及通气1 h、24 h后动脉血气分析、心率(HR)、平均动脉压(MAP)及Glasgow昏迷评分(GCS)的不同,观察NPPV相关并发症(胃胀气、漏气、吸入性肺炎、低血压)的发生率、气管插管率、无创机械通气时间、ICU住院时间、总住院时间及预后的不同。结果:①通气治疗后24 h与1 h比较,2组患者V T增加,RR减慢,EPAP无明显改变;AVAPS组通气后24 h较1 h PIP明显降低(P=0.026),MV明显减少(P=0.041);AVAPS组通气治疗后1 h V T(P=0.032)、MV(P=0.047)、PIP(P=0.015)明显高于对照组,通气治疗后24 h V T仍高于对照组(P=0.043),PIP略低于对照组但无统计学差异;②与通气前比较,2组患者通气治疗后24 h pH、动脉血二氧化碳分压(PaCO2)、动脉血氧分压(PaO2)、氧合指数(PaO2/FiO2)均明显改善,HR及MAP明显下降,AVAPS组通气后1 h与通气前比较,pH(P=0.046)及PaCO2(P=0.027)即有明显改善,通气治疗后24 h较通气治疗前GCS也明显升高(P=0.041);AVAPS组通气后1 h及24 h PaCO2明显低于对照组,通气后24 h,AVAPS组GCS明显高于对照组(P=0.041);③相关并发症的比较,AVAPS组胃胀气发生率明显低于对照组(P=0.045),气管插管率(P=0.037)、无创通气时间(P=0.041)及ICU住院时间(P=0.035)明显低于对照组,2组在其他并发症发生率(漏气、吸入性肺炎、低血压)、总住院时间及病死率均未见统计学差异。结论:AVAPS无创通气技术在治疗AECOPD合并急性呼吸衰竭患者方面,可针对病情的发展以及患者的需要进行调节,提高了通气效率,值得推广。     

无创正压通气在慢性阻塞性肺病并发呼吸衰竭的临床应用

目的 :评价无创正压通气 (NPPV)应用于慢性阻塞性肺病 (COPD)并发Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭的疗效。方法 :COPD急性加重并发Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭 4 2例随机分两组 :①常规治疗组 ;②NPPV组 :在给予常规治疗同时加用NPPV。采用面罩 ,通气模式为压力支持通气 (PSV)加呼气末正压 (PEEP)。治疗前与治疗后 1h、6h及第 2天后每日测定动脉血气 ,并监测呼吸频率 (RR)、心率、血压。结果 :与治疗前比较 ,NPPV组治疗后 1h和 6hPaO2 和RR明显改善 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,治疗后第 6小时PaCO2 和pH明显改善 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;常规治疗组治疗后 1～ 6h动脉血气与RR均无显著变化 (P >0 .0 5 )。治疗后 2 4h和 72hNPPV组的PaO2 、PaCO2 、及 pH较常规治疗组明显改善 (P <0 .0 5 )。NPPV组治疗失败率明显低于常规治疗组 ,平均住院时间明显短于常规治疗组 (P均 <0 .0 5 )。结论 :NPPV是治疗COPD急性加重并发Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭有效的通气方式 ,能迅速改善动脉血气和临床症状 ,提高抢救成功率 ,缩短住院时间 ,可作为COPD并发Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭首选的通气方式     

无创正压通气治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期并Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭临床分析

目的采用回顾性方法总结无创正压通气(NPPV)对慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期(AECOPD)并Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭的治疗效果,分析治疗的相关因素。方法对2001年1月至2005年12月广州市番禺区人民医院呼吸内科112例AECOPD并Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭患者在普通病房使用NPPV治疗,并对有效组与无效组进行临床分析。比较两组在NPPV治疗前、治疗1~2h、24h及治疗结束后心率(HR)、呼吸频率(RR)、血气分析的变化。结果有效组NPPV治疗1~2h后PaO2、PaCO2明显改善;24h后氧合指数(OI)、HR、RR、SaO2、PaO2、PaCO2、pH明显改善。无效组治疗1~2h后与治疗前相比PaO2、PaCO2无明显改善,治疗24h后各指标也无改善。结论AE-COPD并Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭可在普通病房应用NPPV救治,治疗1~2h、24h后血气分析、HR、RR明显改善的患者预后较好。     

无创正压通气治疗急性呼吸衰竭的疗效观察

目的探讨无创正压通气（NPPV）在治疗急性呼吸衰竭（ARF）中的临床疗效。方法 216例各种原因引起ARF的患者在常规治疗的基础上进行NPPV,采用压力支持通气（PSV）加呼气末正压通气（PEEP）。比较治疗前后动脉血气变化、观察NPPV治疗成功率及病死率。结果 NPPV治疗后2 h、24 h PaCO2和pH与治疗前比较明显改善（P〈0.01）,PaO2变化无显著性差异。NPPV对慢性阻塞性肺病急性加重（AECOPD）及急性心源性肺水肿疗效显著,成功率高。而对肺炎及肺间质纤维化疗效较差。结论 NPPV治疗ARF疗效肯定,正确选择患者及上机时机,密切监测,动态决策,可提高呼吸衰竭的救治成功率。     

体位对急性呼吸衰竭患儿机械通气效果的影响

目的探讨俯卧位机械通气对小儿急性呼吸衰竭的影响。方法 50例急性呼吸衰竭患者,随机分为2组,分别予以仰卧位和俯卧位机械通气治疗,记录仰卧位及俯卧位2、4h的动脉血气分析、呼吸频率（RR）、吸入氧浓度（FiO2）、氧合指数（PaO2/FiO2）、潮气量（VT）的变化。4h后,仰卧位组的患儿也改为俯卧位机械通气,并在2h和4h记录上述指标。结果机械通气后,2组患者FiO2、动脉血pH值无明显变化（P均〉0.05）,RR、VT、PaO2、PaO2/FiO2、动脉血氧饱和度（SaO2）、二氧化碳分压（PaCO2）得到不同程度改善（P〈0.05）,俯卧位机械组改善明显（P〈0.05）。仰卧位组患儿改为俯卧位机械通气后,PaO2/FiO2增加明显（P〈0.05）。结论俯卧位机械通气能显著改善PaO2/FiO2,是小儿急性呼吸衰竭早期支持治疗有效手段。     

无创正压通气治疗心脏术后急性呼吸衰竭的疗效和安全性研究

目的:探讨无创正压通气(NPPV)治疗心脏术后急性呼吸衰竭的疗效和安全性。方法:选择2011年9月至2012年10月,心脏外科术后发生急性呼吸衰竭适合进行NPPV的患者,随机分为无创通气组及常规治疗组。记录生命体征、血气分析测值,比较两组患者的再插管率、气管切开率、呼吸机相关性肺炎(VAP)发生率、病死率、入组后机械通气时间、住重症监护室(ICU)时间和术后住院时间。结果:研究期间,共有急性呼吸衰竭患者113例,符合纳入标准77例,男性48例,女性29例,平均年龄(61.7±11.0)岁,其中冠状动脉搭桥术38例,瓣膜手术20例,瓣膜手术+冠状动脉搭桥术9例,大血管手术7例,其他手术3例。无创通气组(n=39),常规治疗组(n=38)。无创通气组再插管率为12.8%,气管切开率10.2%,VAP发生率0,住院病死率12.8%,均明显低于常规治疗组(分别为84.2%、31.6%、18.4%和26.3%)(P<0.05或P<0.01)。无创通气组入组后机械通气时间和住ICU时间中位数分别为28.0(10.5,43.0)h和4.0(2.0,5.0)d,显著低于常规治疗组的69.5(3.8,248.0)h和5.0(4.0,9.0)d,(P<0.05或P<0.01),两组术后住院时间相近[分别为13.0(10.5,20.0)d和17.0(11.0,28.3)d,P>0.05]。NPPV治疗后2～4h,pH、PaCO2和PaO2均显著改善,心率和呼吸频率减慢(P<0.05或P<0.01),与同时间点常规治疗组水平相近。结论:NPPV选择性用于心脏术后急性呼吸衰竭,可显著降低再插管率,改善患者预后,疗效明显优于常规治疗组。需多中心大样本随机对照研究,以明确NPPV在心脏术后患者中应用的适应证和影响疗效因素。     

无创正压通气治疗急性呼吸窘迫综合征早期的临床分析

目的分析无创正压通气(NPPV)的影响因素,进一步探讨NPPV治疗急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)早期的临床疗效。方法将88例ARDS早期患者随机分为NPPV组和标准氧疗组。NPPV组采用德国Drager呼吸机,经口鼻面罩辅助通气,模式IPPV或BIPAP,PEEP 5~8cmH2O,FiO240%~60%。标准氧疗组采用文丘里吸氧面罩,FiO240%~60%。比较两组治疗0.5、1h动脉血气分析、氧合指数,失败率(治疗失败改气管插管呼吸机辅助呼吸)等。分析比较治疗失败组和治疗成功组的血流动力学及血气分析情况。结果 NPPV组治疗后血气分析较标准氧疗组有明显改善,PaO2明显升高(P0.05),氧合指数增加(P0.05),治疗失败率明显低于标准氧疗组(P0.05)。休克,严重低氧血症和代谢性酸中毒是NIPPV和标准氧疗治疗失败的相关影响因素。结论早期ARDS可使用NPPV和标准氧疗,NPPV组优于标准氧疗组。     

HHFNC在呼吸衰竭机械通气拔管后应用的效果观察

目的探讨急性呼吸衰竭机械通气治疗患者拔管后采用经鼻高流量湿化氧疗(HHFNC)治疗的效果。方法选取我院急诊科采用机械通气救治的90例急性呼吸衰竭患者作为研究对象,采用随机数字表分为研究组和对照组各45例,研究组采用HHFNC治疗、对照组采用文丘里面罩吸氧。结果拔管后12h,研究组的氧合指数、PaO 2测定值、血乳酸变化率、ScvO2变化率高于对照组(P<0.05),研究组的PaCO 2低于对照组(P<0.05);研究组的再插管率低于对照组(P<0.05),研究组和对照组的病死率及呼吸机相关肺炎发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论急性呼吸衰竭机械通气治疗患者拔管后采用HHFNC治疗更有利于维持患者血气水平,减轻拔管后血乳酸升高及ScvO2变化率,可提高拔管插管率。     

严重急性呼吸综合征所致呼吸衰竭及无创通气治疗

目的　回顾性总结严重急性呼吸综合征 (SARS)并发呼吸衰竭患者的血气特点 ,探讨应用无创正压通气 (NPPV)治疗的策略。方法　 2 0 0 3年 4月 2 2日～ 5月 1日 ,12 0例临床符合SARS诊断标准的患者入住北京地坛医院 (SARS专科医院 )的 4个病区 ,30例患者 (占 2 5 % )在病程中出现呼吸衰竭 ,达到急性肺损伤 (ALI)和 (或 )急性呼吸窘迫综合征 (ARDS)的诊断标准。 2 8例应用双水平气道正压通气 (BiPAP)。主要观察指标 :(1)住院期间的血气分析、脉搏容积血氧饱和度 (SpO2 )及呼吸频率 ,特别是上机前、上机后 1h及撤机后的结果 ;(2 )放射学检查或临床提示住院后新出现的气胸、纵隔气肿、心包积气及皮下气肿 ;(3)应用无创通气的天数 ;(4 )需气管插管行有创通气的患者数 ;(5 )患者的病死率 ;(6 )一线医务人员因护理治疗无创通气SARS患者而感染SARS的情况。结果统计 30例患者在整个病程中的动脉血二氧化碳分压 (PaCO2 )变化情况 ,16例 (5 3% )患者出现CO2 潴留 ,PaCO2为 4 5～ 5 6mmHg ,平均 (4 8± 4 )mmHg。NPPV治疗后动脉血氧分压 (PaO2 )、SpO2 、氧合指数及呼吸频率均显著改善 (P均 <0 0 1) ,但pH及PaCO2 的变化并不明显。 18例患者成功撤机 ,应用NPPV的时间为5～ 30d ,平均 (10± 6 )d。除 1例不能耐受BiPAP     

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in patients with respiratory failure due to severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) who require mechanical ventilation have high morbidity and mortality rates. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) delivered through a mask has become increasingly popular for the treatment of acute respiratory failure (ARF) and may limit some mechanical ventilation complications. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this retrospective, observational study was to evaluate our clinical experience with the use of NPPV in AP patients with ARF. METHODS: From 1997 to 2003, we documented clinical data, gas exchange and outcome of the 62 AP patients admitted to our intensive care unit. Patients who benefited from NPPV (success) were compared with those who failed (intubated). RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were intubated at admission and 5 did not develop ARF. Of the 28 patients treated with NPPV, 15 were not intubated (54%). Both groups had a similar PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio (142 +/- 21 vs. 133 +/- 20; p = 0.127) and severity of illness (Ranson and Balthazar scores). Presence of atelectasis, bilateral alveolar infiltrates and abdominal distension were associated with failure of NPPV. Oxygenation improved and respiratory rate decreased significantly only in the success group. Additionally, the length of stay at the intensive care unit was significantly lower in the success group. CONCLUSION: NPPV is feasible and safe to treat ARF in selected patients with AP who require ventilatory support.     

无创正压通气治疗慢性阻塞性肺病急性加重期呼吸衰竭临床研究

目的评价无刨正压通气（NPPV）治疗慢性阻塞性肺病（COPD）急性加重期呼吸衰竭的价值。方法收集2004年01月至2006年08月住我院重症监护室（ICU）54例COPD急性加重期呼吸衰竭的患者，观察所有患者在常规治疗基础上，进行NPPV治疗后的临床表现、动脉血气的变化。结果1例不能耐受、4例改用有创机械通气，49例患者经NPPV治疗2h后呼吸困难缓解，心率、呼吸频率下降（P〈0．05），动脉血气指标、氧合指数改善（P〈0．05）。结论NPPV能明显改善COPD急性加重期呼吸衰竭的症状、低氧血症、氧合指数及二氧化碳潴留，说明NPPV治疗有效，耐受件好，并发症少。     

BiPAP无创呼吸机治疗急性高原肺水肿伴低氧性呼吸衰竭的临床观察

目的 探讨经鼻(面)罩双水平气道正压通气(BiPAP)治疗急性高原肺水肿伴低氧性呼吸衰竭的临床疗效.方法 急性高原肺水肿伴低氧性呼吸衰竭患者35例,在一般治疗的基础上联合BiPAP无创呼吸机治疗,观察住院期间的疗效,应用BiPAP前后患者心率、呼吸频率、血气分析、氧合指数(PaO2/FiO2)的变化情况.结果 经鼻(面...     

无创机械通气治疗老年急性左心衰竭的疗效观察

目的探讨无创机械通气对老年急性左心衰竭患者的治疗效果及副反应。方法将42例符合入选标准的老年急性左心衰竭患者随机分为两组,对照组（19例）给予高浓度面罩酒精吸氧、常规强心、利尿、扩管、镇静治疗;治疗组（23例）在常规治疗的基础上,行双水平气道正压通气呼吸机辅助通气。观察两组患者治疗前后临床症状的改善情况,并监测患者治疗前及治疗后2小时动脉血气指标和心率、呼吸频率、射血分数、氧合指数,比较两组患者治疗结束时的病死率及气管插管率。结果治疗组治疗2小时后,患者临床症状迅速缓解,动脉血气指标和心率、呼吸频率、射血分数、氧合指数均明显改善,气管插管率及病死率较对照组低,两组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论无创机械通气治疗老年急性左心衰竭起效迅速,能迅速纠正缺氧,改善心肺功能,减少气管插管率及病死率,副反应少,可作为抢救急性左心衰竭的重要手段之一。     

Noninvasive ventilation in childhood acute neuromuscular respiratory failure: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Over a 36-month study period, 10 nonconsecutive neuromuscular pediatric patients (6 infants, mean age 10.16 months, and 4 children, mean age 9.3 years) presenting with acute respiratory failure (ARF) were treated by noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). All patients required immediate respiratory support and fulfilled our intubation criteria. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to verify if early NPPV was able to avoid endotracheal intubation and to improve both oxygenation and ventilation within 24 h from admission in this clinical setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective pilot study was carried out on neuromuscular patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of the Catholic University of Rome because of ARF and managed exclusively with NPPV for at least 24 h following admission. All patients were treated using a flow-triggered mechanical ventilator through a face mask or using the new helmet interface. RESULTS: Eight patients were successfully ventilated during the observation period and 2 early failures occurred. Among children undergoing face mask NPPV, the PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio increased from a median value of 75 (range 48-149) to 240 (range 133-385; p < 0.001) and 328 (range 180-371; p < 0.001) at selected time points (3 and 12 h after NPPV introduction, respectively); the alveolar-to-arterial oxygenation difference showed a similar trend, i.e. decreasing from a median value of 589 (range 213-659) to 128 (range 62-527; p < 0.01) and 69 (range 45-207; p < 0.001), respectively. Hypercarbic ARF resolved within 6 h from admission even in the most severe cases. CONCLUSIONS: NPPV was a safe and effective first-line therapeutic approach in hypoxemic ARF children/infants with neuromuscular disease. It seems of importance to identify children with neuromuscular disorders who may be able to achieve residual ventilator-free breathing and to perform an NPPV trial avoiding tracheal intubation. Life-threatening respiratory distress and very young age should not preclude NPPV application in the PICU setting. The new helmet interface represents a promising tool for noninvasive ventilation in older children.     

头罩式无创正压通气在急性低氧性呼吸衰竭患者的临床应用

目的评价应用头罩式无创正压通气(NIPPV)治疗急性低氧性呼吸衰竭(ARF)患者的疗效。方法选择符合标准的ARF患者40例,随机分为头罩组(A组,20例)和面罩组(B组,20例)。两组患者给予相同的药物治疗方案,包括β2受体激动剂、糖皮质激素、茶碱制剂、利尿剂和抗生素等。A组在常规药物治疗的基础上选用无创呼吸机。通过常规呼吸管道将头罩与呼吸机连接。B组在常规药物治疗的基础上选用双水平气道正压通气(BiPAP)无创正压呼吸机,通过常规呼吸管道将面罩与呼吸机连接。观察指标包括动脉血气、呼吸频率(RR)、心率(HR)、氧合指数(PaO2/FiO2)、初始24h治疗中断例数和频数、需气管插管率、住院病死率、气管插管原因等。结果两组患者气管插管率、病死率、NIPPV治疗时间差异均无显著性意义(P0.05)。初始24h治疗中断例数和频数两组间差异有非常显著意义(P0.01)。治疗1h后A组患者PaO2和氧合指数(PaO2/FiO2)改善明显,与B组比较差异有显著性意义(P0.05),两组患者pH间差异无显著性意义(P0.05)。治疗结束后两组患者PaO2、PaO2/FiO2差异均有显著性意义(P0.01)。两组患者并发症总发生率差异有非常显著性意义(P0.01)。结论头罩NIPPV治疗可用于低氧性ARF的患者,它能够提高患者的耐受性,减少与NIPPV相关的并发症,但在改善气体交换和降低气管插管方面与面罩相比无明显优势。     

Outcomes of patients with acute respiratory failure after abdominal surgery treated with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the physiologic and clinical effects of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in patients who have acute respiratory failure (ARF) after abdominal surgery. We evaluated our clinical experience with the use of NPPV in the treatment of ARF after abdominal surgery. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated NPPV use during a 2-year period in a medical-surgical ICU of a university hospital. We documented demographic and diagnostic data, gas exchange, and clinical outcomes. We compared patients who were not intubated to those who were intubated after a trial of NPPV. RESULTS: Of 72 patients with ARF after abdominal surgery who were treated with NPPV, 48 patients avoided intubation (67%). Patients in the intubated and nonintubated groups had similar demographic characteristics, and similar American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status and simplified acute physiology score II scores at admission. The intubated group had a significantly lower Pa(O2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (Fi(O2)) ratio (123 +/- 62 mm Hg vs 194 +/- 76 mm Hg, p < 0.01) and more extended bilateral alveolar infiltrates (67% vs 31%, p < 0.01) than the non-intubated group. Within the first NPPV observation period, the Pa(O2)/Fi(O2) increased (+ 36 +/- 29% [+/- SD], p = 0.04) and the respiratory rate decreased (28.2 +/- 3.4 breaths/min vs 23.1 +/- 3.8 breaths/min, p < 0.01) significantly only in the non-intubated group. The non-intubated group had significantly lower length of ICU stay (17.3 +/- 10.9 days vs 34.1 +/- 28.5 days, p < 0.01) and mortality rate (6% vs 29%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: NPPV may be an alternative to conventional ventilation in selected patients with ARF after abdominal surgery who require ventilatory support.     

Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation Treatment for Acute Respiratory Failure in SARS

This study describes the blood gases features and short-term outcomes with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) treatment in the management of acute respiratory failure (ARF) during a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic. Between April 22 and May 1, 2003, 120 patients meeting clinical criteria for SARS were admitted to a hospital for infectious diseases in Beijing, China. At 6 weeks after onset, 25% of patients (30/120) had experienced ARF. Of interest, 16 of these patients (53%) exhibited hypercapnia (PaCO₂> 45 mm Hg), and 10 hypercapnic events occurred within 1 week of admission. The occurence of hypencapnia or CO₂retention and was accompanied by myalgias. NPPV was instituted in 28 patients; one was intolerant of NPPV. In the remaining 27 patients, NPPV was initiated 1.2 ± 1.6 days after ARF onset. An hour of NPPV therapy led to significant increases in PaO₂and PaO₂/FiO₂and a decrease in respiratory rate (p< 0.01). Endotracheal intubation was required in one third of the patients (9 of 27) who initially had a favorable response to NPPV. Remarkable pulmonary barotrauma was noticed in 7 of all 120 patients (5.8%) and in 6 of those (22%) on NPPV. The overall fatality rate at 13 weeks was 6.7% (8/120); it was higher (26.7%) in those needing NPPV. No caregiver contracted SARS. We conclude that NPPV is a feasible and appropriate treatment for ARF occurring as a result of a SARS infection.