NASAL VENTILATION

Nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation is likely to have an increasing role in the management of acute ventilatory failure, weanin g, and chronic ventilatory problems. Further improvements in ventilato r and mask design will be seen. Appropriate application is likely to r educe both mortality and admissions to intensive care, while domicilia ry use can improve life expectancy and/or quality of life in chronic v entilatory disorders. As with any new technique, enthusiasm should not outweigh clear outcome information, and possible new indications shou ld always be subject to careful assessment.