[Therapy for acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma using noninvasive positive pressure ventilation by critical care ventilator].

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is respiratory therapy designed to assist ventilation without endotracheal intubation. It has been reported that NPPV is useful for respiratory failures due to various conditions. Recently, the critical care ventilator has been developed to cover either invasive or noninvasive mechanical ventilation. In the present report, we describe 3 successfully treated cases of acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma using NPPV by critical care ventilator. In all cases, the ventilator was immediately synchronized with spontaneous breathing, patients were able to avoid endotracheal intubation, and weaned from the ventilator soon. In conclusion, NPPV using a critical care ventilator was considered to be a useful treatment.