Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation in the Weaning of Patients with Respiratory Failure Due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: In patients w i th acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, mechanical venti-lation is often needed. The rate of weaning failure is high in these patients, and prolonged mechanical ventilation increases intubation-associated complications. Objective: To determine whether noninvasive ventila-t ion improves the outcome of weaning f rom invasive me-chanical venti lation. Design: Multicenter, randomized tr ial. Setting: Three respiratory intensive care units. Patients: Intubated patients w i th chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. Intervention: A T-piece weaning trial was attempted 48 hours after intubation. If this failed, two methods of wean