ABSTRACT
Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) refers to techniques that assist ventilation without requiring an invasive airway. The most commonly used noninvasive technique is noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), which provides intermittent positive pressure to the upper airway via a mask or similar interface. In the early twentieth century, NIV was provided mainly by negative pressure ventilators (so called ‘body ventilators’). In the 1960s, NPPV delivered via mouthpieces was used at some centers for patients with neuromuscular conditions but did not gain widespread acceptance. With the introduction of nasal masks to deliver continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to patients with obstructive sleep apnea, NIPPV delivered nocturnally via nasal masks was developed and used to treat hypoventilation related to neuromuscular disease.1,2 This has been shown to be effective and is widely accepted as a standard therapy for chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure due to neuromuscular disease, chest wall deformity, or disorders of respiratory drive.3
