[Non-invasive ventilation in prehospital emergency medicine].

Non-invasive ventilation has not yet been established in prehospital emergency medicine. This most likely due to missing technical prerequisites. Meanwhile emergency ventilators feasible for prehospital NIV are available. Recognizing the pathophysiology of acute respiratory insufficiency, treatment with NIV is superior in comparison to treatment with oxygen and medication only. The advantages of NIV may lead to reduced morbidity and mortality as long as attention is paid to possible contraindications.