Noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure in neutropenic patients with acute respiratory failure requiring intensive care unit admission

Objective: To evaluate the tolerance and the efficacy of noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in severe acute respiratory failure occurring in intensive care unit (ICU) neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies, and to establish predictive variables of efficacy of this method. Design: Prospective study over a 5-yr period. Setting: Hematologic and medical intensive care unit of a teaching hospital. Methods: Among 129 neutropenic patients admitted to the ICU, 64 patients presented with febrile acute hypoxemic normocapnic respiratory failure (Pao 2 /FlO 2 ratio