Non-invasive Ventilation Outside the ICU

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV), including both non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) and non-invasive continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), is increasingly applied to prevent or to treat acute respiratory failure [1]. Evidence of benefit has been demonstrated in some common diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, acute respiratory failure in immunosuppressed patients, and cardiogenic pulmonary edema. There is still no strong scientific evidence on the usefulness of NIV in other settings and more research is required [1, 2]. Nevertheless, NIV is an established, relevant option in the management of acute respiratory failure and the number of publications on this topic is steadily increasing (Fig. 1).