Mask continuous positive airway pressure in AIDS

FMCPAP and NCPAP therapy is an effective modality for treating patients with PCP, hypoxia, and respiratory insufficiency. The therapy decreases intrapulmonary shunting and improves oxygenation. It is safe and, in some cases, can be provided outside of an intensive care unit. The major benefit of MCPAP is that it postpones (and sometimes obviates) the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation. This may provide adequate time for a trial of therapy, education, ethical discussions, and completion of personal matters by patients. It is conceivable that failure to respond to MCPAP may provide prognostic information to help guide further therapy. Further outcome studies are needed to clarify this issue. Adding MCPAP to mechanical ventilation and conventional mask oxygen therapy increases the options that practitioners can use to provide the best titrated care for their patients.