🗝️ Key Points

• 💨 NIV = Support without a tube: CPAP, BiPAP, and HFNC improve oxygenation and reduce the work of breathing.
• 🫁 CPAP = Continuous pressure: Best for hypoxemic patients (e.g., pulmonary edema, OSA).
• ⚖️ BiPAP = Two pressures (IPAP/EPAP): Great for hypercapnic failure (e.g., COPD, obesity hypoventilation).
• 🌬️ HFNC = Heated, humidified high flow: Reduces effort, improves comfort, and enhances oxygen delivery.
• 🩺 Supportive, not definitive: NIV stabilizes patients while the underlying cause is treated.

📝 Introduction

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) refers to respiratory support provided without endotracheal intubation. The most common modalities include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), and high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). These therapies aim to improve oxygenation, reduce the work of breathing, and potentially prevent invasive mechanical ventilation.