ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic value of noninvasive mechanical ventilation in patients with conscious disturbance due to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with respiratory failure. MethodsForty-two patients with conscious disturbance due to COPD complicated with respiratory failure were selected in the study. GALILEO or PAPHAEL large EMT ventilator produced by Switzerland Hamilton Company was used for noninvasive mechanical ventilation with P-SIMV+PSV+PEEP mode. Meanwhile, the change of vital signs, consciousness, the degree of inspiratory muscle fatigue and blood gas indexes were observed before and after treatment. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was applied to evaluate the consciousness, and scale for accessory muscle use was adopted to measure the degree of inspiratory muscle fatigue. ResultsAll the patients were treated successfully. Compared with admission, the pH value, the pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and the arterial oxygen pressure/inhaled oxygen concentration (PaO2/FiO2)were significantly improved 2 hours, 4 hours and 24 hours after treatment. The respiration rate and heart rate were markedly decreased 24 hours after treatment, which indicated that the condition of the patients tended to be stable and the patients could endure the therapy. The average GCS was increased from 5.69-1-0.93 to 10.45±1.23 (t= 31.68, P<0.001), and the state of consciousness was improved significantly. The scale for accessory muscle use was decreased from 3.70±0. 45 to 2. 06±0. 52 (t = 31.21, P < 0. 001), and the respiratory muscle fatigue was relieved. ConclusionsNoninvasive mechanical ventilation has obvious clinical curative effect on severe infection and conscious disturbance due to severe COPD complicated with respiratory failure.