Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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A number of emergency departments have introduced non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIV) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for patients presenting with acute respiratory failure. It is thought that early non-invasive respiratory support will avoid the need for invasive ventilation in many cases. ⋯ NIV and CPAP were also found to be effective in some other causes of acute respiratory failure. There is a role for non-invasive respiratory support in emergency departments.