Intensive care medicine
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Intensive care medicine · Apr 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyIron lung versus mask ventilation in acute exacerbation of COPD: a randomised crossover study.
To compare iron lung (ILV) versus mask ventilation (NPPV) in the treatment of COPD patients with acute on chronic respiratory failure (ACRF). ⋯ The sequential use of NPPV and ILV avoided EI in a large percentage of COPD patients with ACRF; ILV was more effective than NPPV on the basis of minor criteria for EI but after the crossover the need of EI on the basis of major criteria and mortality was similar in both groups of patients.