Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation versus High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Updated Narrative Review

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common clinical respiratory illnesses, defined by permanent pathological deterioration that leads to respiratory failure. Regarding COPD treatment, oxygen therapy is very important. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is a technique for non-invasive mechanical ventilation that enables patients to get positive pressure support without the need of an artificial airway. Instead, it merely employs the mask by covering the mouth and nose, or simply the nose of patients. NPPV has been shown to be beneficial for COPD patients experiencing respiratory failure. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy shows some advantages, including the reduction of anatomical dead space, the prompt correction of low oxygen levels as well as the improvement of patients’ tolerance. Owing to its continuous progress, ventilation technology strongly improves COPD treatment. In this study, the authors analyze the application of NPPV and HFNC in COPD so as to provide recommendations for mechanical ventilation treatment.