Category
Respiratory Support
Typical Use
Provide two level positive airway pressure for hypoventilation and COPD exacerbations.
Description
A noninvasive ventilatory support device that delivers higher inspiratory positive airway pressure and lower expiratory pressure to assist ventilation in patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure, COPD exacerbations, or neuromuscular weakness, improving alveolar ventilation and reducing work of breathing. BiPAP requires careful patient selection, mask fitting, and monitoring for tolerance, aspiration risk, and hemodynamic effects; settings are titrated to achieve adequate ventilation while minimizing discomfort. Use in acute care settings involves respiratory therapy oversight and protocols for escalation to invasive ventilation if needed.