[Non-invasive ventilation for acute respiratory insufficiency].

Non-invasive ventilation provides ventilatory support to patients admitted for acute respiratory failure, without the need for endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy. Most of the times, a full face mask covering both the nose and the mouth is used. This technique is mainly delivered in intensive care departments, but tends to spread to emergency departments, respiratory wards or pre-hospital settings. Its aim is to prevent patient's worsening and need for endotracheal intubation. It is particularly successful for patients suffering from acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in asphyxic forms of cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. In these indications, non-invasive ventilation reduces the need for intubation, improves hospital length of stay and outcome. Other forms of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure with isolated lung failure can also benefit from this technique.