European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

The term 'Non-Invasive Ventilation' (NIV) refers to the application of artificial ventilation without any conduit access to the airways, i.e., without an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube. ^[1] Earlier negative pressure ventilation was used, but in the modern era, positive pressure ventilation has supplanted negative-pressure ventilation as the major mode of delivery of Non-Invasive Ventilation. ^[2] The mention of Non-Invasive Ventilation will refer to Non-invasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV). It is used as an alternative conventional Mechanical Ventilation through an Endotracheal Tube (Endotracheal Tube Mechanical Ventilation or ETMV), in more severe patients deem to require ventilatory assistance. ^[3]

In patients with COPD and mild to moderate hypercapnic acute respiratory failure, the adhesion of NIV to the medical treatment has been proven to be effective in relieving dyspnea. ^[4] It is used as an alternative conventional mechanical ventilation through an end tracheal tube or ETMV, in more severe patients deem to require ventilator assistance. In patients with COPD and mild to moderate hypersonic acute respiratory failure, the adhesion of NIV to the medical treatment has been proven to be effective in relieving dyspnea. ^[5] NIV was the first choice for ventilatory management in 60% of all COPD patients receiving mechanical ventilation. ^[6]

Respiratory failure is a condition where the respiratory system unable to do one or both gaseous exchange functions, i.e., oxygenation and elimination of carbon dioxide from venous blood. It is conventionally defined as an arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) of <8.0 kPa (60mmHg), an arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) of >6.0kPa (45mmHg) or both. ^[7] Failure of pump results in alveolar hypoventilation and hypercapnic (hypercapnic or type 2 respiratory failure). Although there is coexistence hypoxemia, the hallmark of ventilatory failure is the increase in PaCO2. ^[8]

By avoiding endotracheal intubation, NIV minimizes complications associated with invasive ventilation like airway problems, ventilator-associated pneumonia (21%) and sinusitis (5-25%). In addition, the patient with an intact upper airway retains the ability to eat, swallow and verbalize. ^[9]

NIV can facilitate the discontinuous of ongoing ventilatory dependence and treat chronic respiratory failure in COPD. NIV is supportive, corrects pathophysiology rather than etiology in disorders characterized by chronic hypoventilation, nocturnal oxygen desaturation, respiratory muscle fatigue. It provides intermittent rest for respiratory muscles & reduces work of breathing. ^[10]

The study was conducted among 40 patients with COPD with Acute Respiratory Failure, who were admitted under The Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital from January 2024 to June 2024.

The patients included were those with COPD and hypercapnia acute respiratory failure, who worsened despite medical treatment in the ward and were deemed to require mechanical ventilation. The diagnosis of COPD was based on clinical history, physical examination, and prior Pulmonary Function Tests.

A study of patients with COPD with Acute Respiratory Failure falling in the age group between 40 and 80 years were included, with the below mentioned inclusion and exclusion criteria:

1. Inclusion Criteria:

• Acute exacerbation of COPD
• pH < 25
• Respiratory Rate > 30/ min
• Partial pressure of Oxygen (PaO2) < 60mmHg, Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) > 45mmHg, Peripheral Capillary Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)

< 92% with oxygen delivered by mask.

1. Exclusion Criteria:

• Any kind of ventilatory assistance before admission to the ICU
• Respiratory or Cardiac Arrest
• Unconsciousness
• Extreme claustrophobia or anxiety despite repeated attempts to facilitate the use of NIPPV
• Hemodynamic instability: Shock (either cardiogenic or septic) with a systolic blood pressure of < 90mmHg despite fluid challenge or need for pressure agents
• Unstable arrythmias
• Recent Myocardial Infarction
• Facial Surgery/ Trauma/ Deformity
• Upper airway obstruction
• Inability to co-operate and need of airway protection because of copious respiratory secretions
• Seropositive for HIV and active Tuberculosis patients
• Life threatening hypoxia

Method of Study:

Once eligibility was verified, patients were included in the study. Parameters that were recorded included: dyspnea quantitated by modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, respiratory rate (RR), heart rate, arterial blood gas (ABG), blood pressure of the patient at admission, ECG, consciousness level and evidence of any comorbid illness. Routine blood investigations were sent for analysis. A chest X-ray was also included.

All eligible patients with all the criteria fulfilled, were then divided into 2 groups. The first group was given the NIV trial and the second group, the ETMV trial.

For the group placed in the NIV trial, the NIV was delivered in the ICU via a facial mask with an inflatable soft cushion seal. The procedure was explained to the patient. The head of the bed was elevated to 45˚ angle. IPAP was initially set at 8cm of H2O and increased by increments of 2cm of H2O up to 20cm of H2O, based upon clinical response and ABG. The initial EPAP was set at 4cm H2O and if required was increased at increments of 1-2cm and titrated between 4-10cm H2O to improve triggering and oxygenation. Humidified supplemental oxygen therapy was administrated with NIPPV and titrated to achieve an oxygen saturation of 88-92%.

After explaining the procedure to the patient, oro-nasal mask, was held by hand, over patient’s face. IPAP and EPAP were adjusted so that the patient can tolerate it, without any discomfort and to avoid any major air leaks. Head straps were used along the side of mask, to help secure it, but was taken care to avoid any tightness or discomfort to the patient.

After starting the treatment, each patient was monitored closely for the first hour. Patient’s discomfort and intolerance for mask was observed. Continuous pulse-oximetry and ECG monitoring was done. Any difficulty to clear secretions and presence of abdominal distention was observed. NIV was delivered intermittently for at least 18 hours per day. Any disconnection from NIV was allowed for less than 1 hour to permit eating, drinking and expectoration. During these intervals, oxygen supplementation was delivered via a nasal cannula.

Standard pharmacological treatment included bronchodilators (inhaler salbutamol, ipratropium bromide through nebulization) and steroids, (IV hydrocortisone, steroid nebulization) and antibiotics that were given alongside NIV.

Blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, dyspnea by mMRC scale were recorded at baseline.

Once the patient improved clinically and was corroborated by improvements in ABG, weaning was initiated. During the weaning phase, the IPAP was decreased in gradations of 2-3cm until the IPAP was 7-10cms. The applications was then switched over to intermittent use. The time of weaning was different for each patient.

If the clinical features such as Respiratory distress (Tachypnea, Tachycardia), Hypotension, worsening of level on consciousness, or laboratory evidence of worsening ABG or persistent respiratory distress were seen, then the patient is considered to be placed on ETMV, from NIV. Presence of sustained clinical improvement with reduction of RR < 24/min, HR <100/min, and presence of normal pH and O2 saturation > 90% were required before patients were considered for weaning.

For the second group of patients, ABG, dyspnea, respiratory rate, heart rate, and consciousness, are taken into consideration and those who fit into the group of ICU protocol were given the ETMV trial. Those who fit this protocol were sedated before they were placed on the ETMV in the ICU. The ventilators that are used on this group for ETMV were also used on the NIV group. The preset inspiratory pressure was set in such a way where a tidal volume of 6-8ml /kg was reached. The initial PEEP was set at 5cm H2O for all the patients. When there was reappearing of spontaneous breathing, PSV mode was initiated, and extubating was planned.

The other variables collected in the study included dyspnea score (RR, HR), ABG parameters (pH, PaCO2, PaO2), the mean duration of NIV application, ETMV, duration of hospitals stay and any complications relating to the procedures. Any complications developed during the procedures were treated adequately.

Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS statics version 25.

A ‘p’ value < 0.005 is considered significant and ‘p’ value < 0.001 is considered extremely significant.

Table 1 AGE DISTRIBUTIONS of NIV and ETMV GROUP

The mean age of the study population in NIV group is 59.45 years and 62.75 years in the ETMV group. The majority of the subjects were in the age range of 60-69 years in both NIV and ETMV groups, consisting of 45% and 50% respectively.

Table 2 SYMPTOMS AT PRESENTATION OF ALL ENROLLED SUBJECTS

The most common symptom on presentation was dyspnea seen in the enrolled subjects. Cough was present in the about 55% of the subjects, fever in 15% and chest pain was present in 12.5% of the subjects.

Table 3 SMOKING PACK YEARS of NIV GROUP

The mean smoking pack years for the NIV group is 17.4 years, The mean smoking pack years in ETMV group is 23.35 years. The above graph shows comparison between mean smoking pack years between NIV and ETMV group. The mean pack years was higher in ETMV group.

Graph 1: DURATION OF DISEASE

The duration of the disease in the NIV group averaged at 11.45 ± 4.63 years, giving a range of 6.82 to 16.08 years in ETMV group. The duration of disease in the ETMV group averaged at 12.25 ± 5.95 years, giving a range of 6.30 years to 18.20 years. The duration of the disease is higher in ETMV group than NIV group. The longer the duration, the higher the risk of exacerbation of COPD and other comorbidities.

RESPIRATORY RATE

The mean respiratory rate in the NIV group is 35.95 ± 4.26 breaths per minute whereas the mean respiratory rate in the ETMV group is 37.20 ± 2.44 breaths per minute. Higher respiratory rate indicates the severity of dyspnea.

The above graph showing mean heart rate in NIV is 96.80 ± 12.79 beats per minute and in ETMV IS 110.05 ± 18.35 beats per minute. The rate was higher in ETMV group.

The total number of patients included in the group were 20, all who were diagnosed with COPD with acute respiratory failure using the symptoms, Chest X – Ray, and ABG. These patients in this group were managed by NIV. Out of 20 of those patients 8 (40%) recovered with NIV and remaining 12 (60%) who did not recover on NIV, worsened. These patients were intubated and resulted with 8 (40%) who recovered and 4 (20%) ended with death.

There are few complications in NIV group in compared to ETMV group. In NIV group 10% had pneumonia and 10% dryness of mouth and the other 5% had multi organ failure. In those where multi organ failure was seen NIV had failed and were intubated when these complications occurred.

In ETMV group there are more complications compared to the NIV group. The complications are Pneumonia 20%, Multi organ failure is 10%, Pneumothorax 5 % and Renal failure is 5%. In this group, it was shown that 60%, did not have any complications.

The most common symptom on presentation was breathlessness, seen in all the enrolled 40 patients (100%). Cough was present in a sizable number of patients, i.e. 22 Patients (55%) and a relatively small number of patients had fever at the time of presentation i.e 6 patients (15%) and Chest pain in 5 patients (12.5). Chest pain on presentation was clinically diagnosed as Pneumonia.

In the study conducted by Vishal Vanani et al, [11] breathlessness present in all the enrolled patients (100%). Cough was present in 44% and fever (10%) and chest pain is (6%).

In the present study, mean respiratory rate of the NIV study group was 35.2 ± 3.4 breaths per minute. In the study, conducted by Rizvi et al [12] study, the mean respiratory rate of their study group was 32.2 ± 5.3 breaths per minute. In another study on NIV by George et al, [13] the mean respiratory rate was 32.5 ± 5.5 breaths per minute. In the study conducted by G. Conti et al [14] study, the mean respiratory rate was 33 ± 2.6 breaths per minute. The study done by Masimo Antonelli et al [15] study the mean respiratory rate was 39 ± 4 breaths per minute. Respiratory rate was reduced after the patients are treated with NIPPV.

In the present study, mean respiratory rate of the ETMV study group was 37.20 ±2.44 breaths per minute. In the study conducted by G. Conti et al[16] study, the mean respiratory rate in ETMV study group was 33 ± 2.4 breaths per minute. The study done by Masimo Antonelli et al[17] study, the mean respiratory rate was 39 ± 5 breaths per minute. Respiratory rate is reduced after patient is managed with Endo tracheal mechanical ventilation in ICU.

In this study the mean age of study population in NIV group is 59.5 ± 6.5. In the Enzo Squadrone et al[18] study, the mean age of NIV group is 69 ± 6 and in the G.Conti et al[19] study, the mean age was 72.5 ± 7.7 years. In the Masimo Antonelli et al[20] study, the mean age was 52 ± 19 years.

The mean age in the present study of ETMV group was 65 ± 7.3 years. In the study done by Enzo Squadrone et al, the mean age was 70 ± 5 years. In the Masimo Antonelli et al[17] study, the mean age group was 57 ± 18 years and in the G. Conti et al study, the mean age in the ETMV group was 71.8 ± 8 years.

NIV, ETMV has higher complications. In this study there are few complications such as Pneumonia 4 patients (20 %), Pneumonia was treated with antibiotics and it resolved completely, 2 Patients with multi organ failure (10%),1 patient with Pneumothorax (1%), These patients were treated with inter-costal drain and pneumothorax was resolved in 4 days. Renal failure in 1 patient (5%), Dialysis was done two times and patient was recovered.

In the patients with COPD-AE with severe acute respiratory failure, the modality of management is ETMV, however NIV provides a few advantages over conventional invasive ventilation. The use of NIV is not only a cost effective ventilatory modality, but also a treatment that is associated with significant improvements in clinical and biochemical outcomes. Usage of NIV in ventilator required patients had a high rate of NIV failure and got intubated. NIV trial did not produce any significant difference in the mortality rate or in the length of the ICU stay. The use of NIV resulted in fewer serious complications, in the patients who recovered with NIV trail, and in those who did not recover by the NIV, i.e. NIV failure, were mechanically intubated, showed faster weaning off mechanical ventilation. No harm was noted in those who had NIV failure, due to delayed initiation of management by invasive ventilation. Nonetheless, those who recovered without intubation due NIV trial, had a clear-cut benefit over those in the ETMV group, who were directly intubated. NIV trial can be given in patients with acute severe respiratory failure due to COPD- AE, who require ETMV but should be given in an ICU set up to avoid complications, failure or mishaps, where it can be dealt immediately.

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