Experience of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in response to acute respiratory failure in obesity hypoventilation syndrome

Abstract

During 5-year period between 2000 and 2004, respiratory care was administered to four patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS). Cases: The condition was brought under control in two of the patients by applying noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). They also suffered from hepato-renal dysfunction due to hypoxia, from which they recovered with improved oxygenation. The remaining two were treated with invasive positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) while under endotracheal intubation. Following weaning from IPPV, respiration was supported by NPPV and the patients were weaned from artificial respiration. Conclusion: Acute respiratory failure caused by OHS could be controlled by NPPV. It is worth trying this aggressive mode of treatment. Repeated intubation may be averted by incorporating NPPV in auxiliary respiratory therapy following weaning from IPPV.