Use of Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in Acute Respiratory Insufficiency after Cardiac Surgery

Background: Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) using bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilation is a safe and effective mean of improving gas exchange in many types of respiratory failure. The results of application of NIPPV to patients who had cardiac surgery and developed respiratory failure after extubation still to be investigated. Aim of work: To compare the efficacy of NIPPV delivered through a face mask with the efficacy of conventional mechanical ventilation (CV) delivered through an endotracheal tube and investigates its hemodynamic effects in this group of patients. Materials and Methods: NIPPV and CV were applied to twenty four patients in two groups who had open heart surgery and suffered from severe respiratory deterioration after tracheal extubation. Respiratory and invasive hemodynamic parameters were measured before starting ventilation, 1, 6, 12 hours, and before and after weaning of ventilation and incidence of ventilatory complications were recorded. Results: Respiratory parameters improved significantly in patients in both groups after one hour but one patient was intubated in NIPPV group. There were no significant differences between the two groups as regards the hemodynamics and respiratory parameters. Respiratory complications and infection were not noticed in NIPPV group during the study. Conclusion: NIPPV is considered an effective method of treating patients with acute respiratory insufficiency after cardiac surgery with minimal effects on respiratory and hemodynamic parameters. It reduces the respiratory complications and infection during mechanical ventilation.