Friday June 4, 2010
Use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation during pregnancy

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is increasingly used to treat acute respiratory failure in nonpregnant patients, but literature of its use during pregnancy is almost none. Acute respiratory failure (ARF) remains a leading cause of ICU admission in obstetric patients. We found a report of case series of successful use of NIPPV in pregnancy.

Report is the outcome of treatment with NIPPV of four sickle cell disease pregnant patients with ARF caused by acute chest syndrome. Median APACHE II score for the four cases was 27.


Results:

• Intubation was avoided in all cases.
• None had aspiration.
• Mean duration of NIPPV was 40 h
• ICU discharge after a mean of 4 days
  

Conclusion: In closely monitored pregnant patients with Acute Respiratory Failure, NIPPV seems to have the potential to shorten ICU and hospital stay. A well-conducted randomized controlled clinical trial is required to confirm this finding


Use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation during pregnancy: Case series - Ann Thorac Med. 2007 Jan–Mar; 2(1): 23–25