Noninvasive ventilation using bilevel positive airway pressure to treat impending respiratory failure in the postanesthesia care unit.

The author presents the use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation using bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) to treat respiratory insufficiency and hypoxemia in three patients in the postanesthesia care unit. BiPAP improved respiratory function with a decreased respiratory rate, decreased PaCO2, and improved oxygenation in the three patients. The applications of these techniques and equipment required are reviewed.