Nasal positive pressure ventilation in the treatment of chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure: a case report.

This paper describes the use of a nasal mask to deliver intermittent positive pressure ventilation to treat chronic respiratory failure in one patient with severe kyphoscoliosis. After two months of overnight nasal ventilation at home the patient achieved normal blood gases, showed improved inspiratory muscle strength, effort tolerance and was able to return to work. Intermittent nasal ventilation is a safe and effective ventilatory support modality for some patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure.