[Facial or nasal mask pressure support ventilation in managing acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases].

11 COPD patients (age: 65 +/- 9 Yrs) with acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure (PaCO2 11.3 +/- 1.1kPa) were treated with mask pressure support ventilation, another 10 similar patients (age: 68 +/- 12 Yrs) served as control. BiPAP ventilator was used with the following modifications: (1) Non-rebreathing valve set-in proximal to mask; (2) 5 LPM oxygen flow delivered into mask to reduce the dead space effect. Mask ventilation was given 2-3 hours every time and 1-2 time daily for 7 days. Synchrony and airway patency were specially monitored. The results suggested that mask ventilation could reduce PaCO2, improve PaO2, relieve dyspnea and decrease the possibility of intubation.