Definition - What does Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation mean?
Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is a method of ventilation used to supply air to an individual without the use of intubation.
When NPPV is employed, air may be supplied to the individual through a face mask that covers the mouth and nose, a nasal mask covering just the nose, or a nasal pillow mask or nasal prongs that direct air toward the entrance of the nose. These methods are less physically invasive than air delivery through the use of an endotracheal tube.
NPPV may also be referred to as noninvasive ventilation (NIV).
SureHire explains Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation
Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) may be used to treat acute or chronic conditions. Patients in need of frequent breathing support benefit from the use of NPPV because this treatment method allows them to avoid the physical and mental stress of intubation and extubation.
NPPV may be used as part of a treatment plan for individuals suffering from chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sleep apnea. The procedure may also be used in emergency settings when a patient experiences acute respiratory failure and cannot be intubated or refuses intubation. Hospitals may use NPPV as a life-prolonging measure or as a measure for making patients receiving palliative care more comfortable.
