noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV or NIPPV)

introduction

NPPV includes CPAP and “BiPAP”
usually technique is to use a well fitting mask to the patient which minimises air leaks
the ventilator then assists patient breathes by applying extrinsic PEEP (PEEP alone is called CPAP) and optionally an inspiratory pressure (IPAP)
the combination of PEEP and IPAP has been called BiPAP (a proprietary trade name) or generically called NPPV or bi-level non-invasive pressure support ventilation (NIPSV)
it is a very useful technique to reduce the need for intubation in a variety of conditions including acute pulmonary oedema (APO), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc.
despite many studies, there is no clear benefit of one over the other, and it seems that earlier concerns of increased risk of myocardial infarction with BiPAP is probably not real.
both modalities appear to reduce need for intubation in patients with acute pulmonary oedema (APO), and reduce in-hospital mortality by ~40%.