الفهرس 
Introduction & Aim of the workOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of high intensity NIV in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD who refractory to low intensity NIV and to evaluate the effect of high intensity NIV on length of hospital stay, need for invasive mechanical ventilation, mortality. Forty patients presented with acute exacerbation of COPD, and indicated for NIV were included in the current study. Initially LI-NIV was applied to all patients with IPAP; EPAP levels gradually increased every half an hour aiming at correcting hypercapnea, and oxygenation. Patients were classified into low (24 patients) and high intensity (16 patients) according to IPAP level (low group if IPAP ≤ 20cmH2O and high group if IPAP > 20cmH2O). In the present study LI-NIV was effective in correcting respiratory acidosis associated with AECOPD. Patients with high level of PaCO2 were shifted to HI-NIV which succeeded to decrease its level at discontinuation of NIV with comparable value to LI-NIV (in cases of patients with lower level of PaCO2).