Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Monitoring Lung Function with Electrical Impedance Tomography in the Intensive Care Unit
Published on: September 6, 2024
General ward and pneumonia size as predictors of noninvasive ventilation failure
Introduction:
Shortage of intensive care beds has led to more frequent use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) outside respiratory units, and data on NIV efficacy and safety on general wards is lacking.
Objective:
The aim was to identify potential predictors for NIV failure.
Methods:
This was a retrospective analysis of patients treated with NIV at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina from 2009 to 2013. Demographics, blood gases, chest radiographs, setting, and outcomes were analyzed to identify predictors of NIV failure.
Results:
A total of 138 patients (65% men, mean age 66 ± 11 years) were treated with NIV. Indications for NIV were acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (85%) and cardiogenic pulmonary edema (7%), as well as respiratory insufficiency related to obesity and central hypoventilation (5%) and neuromuscular disease (3%). Rate of NIV failure was 34.8%. In 86 patients NIV was applied in the High Dependency Unit (HDU), while 52 received NIV on the general ward. Baseline characteristics in terms of gender, arterial blood gases, and the extent of consolidation on chest radiographs were similar. Patients treated in HDU were younger (64.4 ± 1.2 vs. 69.4 ± 1.5 years, p < 0.001). NIV on the general ward compared to HDU had higher rates of NIV failure (28/52 vs. 20/86, p < 0.001). Presence of consolidation involving two or more quadrants on chest radiograph (55% vs. 29%, p < 0.001) was associated with NIV failure. When adjusted for age and the extent of consolidation on chest radiograph, NIV failure was still less likely in patients treated in HDU (OR 0.23, 95% Cl 0.10-0.50).
Conclusion:
Patients with consolidation on chest X-ray and patients treated with NIV outside of dedicated respiratory units are at a higher risk for NIV failure.
More Related Videos
04:12Inspiratory Muscle Training as an Adjunct to the Treatment of Weaning Failure in Critically Ill Patients: A Practical Guide
Published on: January 30, 2026
06:22Surfactant Depletion Combined with Injurious Ventilation Results in a Reproducible Model of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ARDS
Published on: April 7, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation...