Risk factors for noninvasive ventilation failure in cancer patients in the intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study

The purpose of the study is to identify risk factors for noninvasive ventilation (NIV) failure in cancer patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF).

A retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU), who received NIV for treatment of ARF, was conducted. We conducted a chart review to estimate the NIV failure rate and used logistic regression to identify risk factors.

Of 2258 patients admitted to the ICU during the study period, 114 (5%) received NIV for ARF. Noninvasive ventilation was successful in 67 patients (59%) and failed for 47 (41%), of whom 36 were intubated and 11 were sedated for palliation. Factors associated with NIV failure were infection as the primary cause of ARF (odds ratio [OR], 4.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.78-13.45; P = .002), male sex (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.20-5.56; P = .015), and Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07; P = .006). Overall ICU mortality was 40%, and hospital mortality was 56%. Noninvasive ventilation failure was the only independent predictor of ICU mortality (OR, 16.6; 95% CI, 6.5-41.5; P < .001).

Noninvasive ventilation can avert ARF for most ICU cancer patients with ARF. For patients with pulmonary infections and high severity scores, NIV should be used with caution. Identifying risk factors for NIV failure using a comprehensive diagnostic approach and monitoring of NIV are paramount to improve outcomes.