Clinical analysis of value of different modes of respiratory support in the treatment of critical patients

Abstract

To investigate the relationship between the successful results with different methods and time of initiation of respiratory support in critically ill patients. The clinical data of 458 critical care patients were reviewed and analyzed. Among the patients, there were 47 cases of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, 105 cases of acute airway obstruction, 156 cases of acute respiratory failure, and 150 cases of chronic respiratory failure. Intubation, or tracheostomy, or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) at different times and occasions were performed in the patients. One hundred and seventeen cases (25.5%) died during the respiratory support treatment, 49 cases gave up the treatment, and 292 patients (63.8%) were cured after mechanical ventilation. As the success rate was the lowest in patients who survived cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (21.3%, 10/47), it was higher in acute respiratory failure (55.1%, 86/156), and the best result (82.8%, 87/105) was obtained in the acute airway obstruction group and patients with chronic respiratory failure (72.7%, 109/150). In the group of patients undergoing early respiratory support, the cure rate was 95.0% (57/60) in patients with invasive method, and 95.5% (21/22) in the NPPV group. The result was significantly different compared with that of later treatment group [81.7% (68/82) in invasive group, and 60.9% (2/29) in NPPV group, both P<0.01]. It demonstrated that the earlier the respiratory support was given the better results. If the respiratory support was delayed, cure rate was significantly reduced [65.6% (63/96) in invasive group and 48.1% (13/27) in NPPV group, both P<0.01]. The cure rate was no difference between different modes of respiratory support between early treatment groups, however, invasive respiratory support was much better than NPPV [44.4% (40/90) and 0 (0/5)] when instituted in the late stages (all P<0.01). It is of prime importance to ensure optimal ventilation in the early stage of diseases, the difficulty and risk of establishment of a patent airway are main problems in the treatment of critically ill patients.