Abstract
Background: Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) has been increasingly used worldwide for acute respiratory failure (ARF), especially in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Aim: To define approach of pulmonologists in Turkey to NIV use in ARF.
Methods: A 38-question survey, developed and tested by the authors, was distributed by e-mail to a total of 2205 pulmonologist in Turkey.
Results: Response rate was 24%. Seventy percent of responders were practicing NIV in clinic. NIV use was found to be associated with responder's title, age, duration of medical license, type of the hospital and the region that it belongs, patient load, NIV experience during residency and its quantity, duration of NIV and intesive care unit (ICU) experience (p=0.000). Based on sub-group analysis of 375 responders using NIV in ARF, median number of NIV patients followed-up per week was 3.5 (25th and 75th percentile: 2, 6). Most of the NIV users declared employment of wards (88.3%) or ICU's (87.5%) to follow-up patients. The first 3 common indications were COPD (98%), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (92%) and restrictive lung disease (88%). Sixty-three percent of NIV users were applying NIV in 80 to 100% of patients with COPD and success rate in COPD was reported as over 60% by 89% of users. Oronasal mask (median, 25th and 75th percentile: 90, 80, 100%) and home-type NIV ventilators(50, 10, 80%) were the most commonly utilised equipments.
Conclusion: NIV use in ARF by Turkish pulmonologists varies based on hospital type, region and especially experience of physician. Although consistent with guidelines, NIV can still be improved and increased.
- © 2014 ERS