[Noninvasive ventilation and acute respiratory failure].

Noninvasive ventilation is effective in acute respiratory failure, in which drug therapy and administration of supplemental oxygen do not suffice and attempts are made to prevent the patient from ending up in invasive respirator therapy. The treatment is suited for acute respiratory failure for instance in cases of exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in which a disturbance of pulmonary ventilation leads to the accumulation of carbon dioxide and to respiratory acidosis. Disadvantages associated with artificial airways are avoided, number of complications are reduced, hospitalization periods become shorter, mortality decreases and costs are saved.