Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation or Standard Oxygen Therapy as Initial Treatment of Acute Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema in ICU Patients

Abstract

Abstract Background Continuous positive airway pressure ventilation (CPAP) through face mask has been widely used especially in North America, Europe and Australasia to alleviate signs and symptoms of respiratory distress due to cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Continuous positive airway pressure ventilation (CPAP) is ventilatory support that is given without establishing endotracheal intubation. CPAP avoid complication of endotracheal tube and invasive mechanical ventilation, preserving the patient’s ability to speak, eat, and cough reflex, reduces the need for sedation, potential airway trauma, and the risk of ventilator associated pneumonia. Objective: Patients and Methods In our study, 62 patients admitted at critical care unit of the Ain Shams University Hospitals with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Patients divided into two groups. Group I: included 31 patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema receive CPAP with (PS 10 cm h2o, PEEP 5 cm h2o). Group II: included 31 patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema receive Oxygen therapy by face mask. Both groups are compared regarding the following parameter: Pao2, Pco2, respiratory rate and Spo2 on admission, 1-hour and 2-hours, post intervention and after discontinuation of treatment. Both groups were compared regarding the rate of endotracheal intubation, ICU length of stay and hospital mortality. Results Our study showed that the respiratory distress was markedly improved in CPAP group compared to oxygen therapy group by face mask as shown in respiratory rate after institution of CPAP (48.31±4.29, 35.84±5.30). In our study, as regarding to ICU length of stay, there was reduction in the intensive care unit length of stay in patient received CPAP compared to length of stay in standard oxygen treatment received group (2.48 ± 0.51 vs. 4.03± 0.65). Our study show that there is reduction in rate of intubation in group I with CPAP compared with group II with oxygen therapy by face mask. Conclusion Continuous positive air way pressure CPAP is widely used in North America, Europe and Australasia for patients with severe ACPE. There are clear mechanistic reasons why these interventions work in acute pulmonary edema. In conclusion, patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema, CPAP safely provides earlier improvement of dyspnea, respiratory distress and oxygen saturation, and decrease ICU length of stay, improved endotracheal intubation and survival rate than does oxygen therapy.