Evaluation of candidates for long-term ventilation.

This article considers the evaluation of patients prior to institution of long-term ventilation (LTV). LTV has evolved from a concept of necessity ventilation to a more satisfactory approach of preventive LTV, enabled by the impressive development of noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV). Due to its convenience and efficacy, and its safety compared with invasive ventilation, NIV has rapidly gained popularity among patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF) requiring intermittent ventilatory assistance. Evaluation of candidates for LTV involves clinical and laboratory evaluations and sleep monitoring. It includes consideration of the etiology of CRF, be it restrictive lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity or other cause, and considers the feasibility of LTV as well as its desirability.