Dimensions of critical care nursing : DCCN
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Dimens Crit Care Nurs · Nov 2000
ReviewNoninvasive positive-pressure ventilation: averting intubation of the heart failure patient.
Mechanically ventilating patients with heart failure who have respiratory distress can increase hospital costs, complications, and mortality. A few studies have evaluated the use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) as an alternative treatment for these patients. This article describes NPPV and reviews its use in managing an acute exacerbation of heart failure.