A multi-disciplinary task force of respiratory experts has published comprehensive new guidelines on the use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in acute respiratory failure (ARF), providing recommendations for the clinical application of NIV based on the most current literature.
ERS and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) collaborated to develop the new guidelines, published today (31 August, 2017) in the European Respiratory Journal.
The document summarises the current knowledge of the role of NIV in treating ARF, provides evidence-led recommendations based on a systematic review of the existing literature on this topic, and builds upon previous meta-analyses and guidelines.
The task force committee developed recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology; recommendations cover a number of specific conditions, including:
- exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- cardiogenic pulmonary oedema
- de novo hypoxaemic respiratory failure
- immunocompromised patients
- chest trauma
- palliation
- post-operative care
- weaning and post-extubation
The authors state that the new recommendations are largely in line with guidelines published within the past 15 years, but note that there have been incremental changes based on access to new studies and information.