Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in treatment of acute left heart failure

AIM:To study the clinical value of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) by enclosed mask in the treatment of acute left heart failure. METHODS: Forty-five patients with acute left heart failure treated with drug therapy for 15 min received NPPV treatment. Symptoms and signs, respiratory rate, heart rate and oxygen saturation of arterial blood (O2sat-artery) were observed, respectively, before and after NPPV. RESULTS: Forty patients were relaxed clinically with the clinically effective rate reaching 89%. Respiratory rate and heart rate decreased significantly (P<0.01) and O2sat-artery increased significantly (P<0.01) after NPPV treatment. Of the other five cases, two cases had unsuitably enclosed mask and three cases had hypercarbohemia. CONCLUSION: NPPV with enclosed mask is a safe and effective therapy for patients with severe acute left heart failure.