The benefits of non-invasive ventilation and CPAP therapy.

There is increasing recognition of the therapeutic benefits of applying non-invasive ventilation in the treatment of acute and chronic respiratory failure. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is now commonly used in the treatment of patients who have problems with oxygenation but not ventilation on acute respiratory wards. The focus of this article will be on the development of non-invasive ventilation techniques and CPAP therapy and the benefits and indications for its use in respiratory medicine. The suggestions for monitoring these patients will be examined and the potential hazards will be identified. This will be considered in relation to the evolution of non-invasive respiratory care units and the establishment of an acute respiratory care unit (ARCU).