Non-invasive ventilation: Global variation in clinical practice An International Survey of Noninvasive Ventilation (NIV) Use for Acute Respiratory Failure: A Follow-Up Survey

Eldeiry D., Fernandes M., Schwartz J., Basançelebi B., Mina B., Esquinas A. M.

European-Respiratory-Society Congress (ERS) 2025, 27 Eylül - 01 Ekim 2025, cilt.66, (Özet Bildiri)

Özet

In a post COVID-19 pandemic world, clinicians have become increasingly aware of alternative means of providing respiratory support for patients with acute respiratory failure. One key takeaway that was highlighted by the pandemic was the inadequate distribution of healthcare resources, including intensive care unit beds and invasive mechanical ventilators.

Prior to the pandemic, we had previously published data reflecting an international survey on the use of NIV and how practice varies across the globe. Given the ever-evolving landscape in medicine, we sent out a new survey to see how and if the use of NIV has changed over time.

651 responses reflective of 45 different countries and 6 continents from across the globe were recorded.

Across all respondents, the most frequently encountered medical conditions leading to NIV use were COPD (83%) and heart failure (71.8%). Worldwide, the most frequent interface being used to apply NIV is an oro-nasal mask (78.6%). The most frequently tracked parameters during NIV use include oxygen saturation (96.4% of respondents), arterial blood gas analysis (82.6% of respondents), and heart rate and EKG tracing (82.5%). Our study highlights one key crucial finding – the commonest reason for NIV failure, per 49.2% of respondents, was failure to manage excessive secretions: a known impedance in the overall effectiveness of NIV.

NIV use is becoming ubiquitous worldwide and across a mode of different specialties. The institution of protocols and data-sharing across hospital systems should be implemented to ensure the safe use of NIV both inside and outside of critical care units.