USE OF NON-INVASIVE VENTILATION IN PATIENTS WITHOUT INTENSIVE CARE FOR SEVERE EXACERBATIONS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Abstract

This article investigates the therapeutic efficacy of bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) in patients experiencing severe exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who do not respond to basic therapy. A total of 29 patients with severe COPD exacerbations were studied. Among them, 13 patients received basic therapy (systemic corticosteroids, bronchodilators, oxygen therapy, etc.), while 16 patients were treated with bi-level non-invasive ventilation in addition to the basic therapy. In all patients, respiratory function and arterial blood gas parameters were assessed. The study results demonstrated that the non-invasive ventilation group experienced reduced bed-days (p=0.001), decreased need for intubation (p=0.001), and lower in-hospital mortality (although not statistically significant, p=0.095).