Impact of Early Non-Invasive Ventilation Application on Reducing Intubation Rate in Acute Pulmonary Edema

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Background: Acute pulmonary edema is a potentially life-threatening manifestation of acute heart failure and other severe systemic conditions. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV), including bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), is an established respiratory support strategy for appropriately selected patients. Objective: To assess the effect of early NIV(BiPAP) use on respiratory parameters and clinical outcomes and to observe hospital length of stay and complications rate between patients receiving early NIV(BiPAP). Materials and methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 108 patients with acute pulmonary edema admitted to the intensive care unit of Integrated Medical Care Hospital, DHA Phase 5, Lahore. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and paired comparisons were used according to the supplied analysis. Results: The mean age of participants was 58.65 ± 13.27 years, and 60.2% were male. The difference in respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, pH, PaCO₂, PaO₂, and SaO₂ was significant before and after BiPAP (p=0.0001); the difference in blood pressure was not significant (p=0.0701). The number of intubations performed was significantly associated with NIV initiation within 1 hour compared to delayed initiation (p<0.004). In addition, level of consciousness was significantly associated with intubation (p<0.001). Recorded complications were not significantly associated with NIV duration (p=0.102) and gender (p=0.066) was not significantly associated with intubation. Conclusion: Application of early NIV (BiPAP) was found to be correlated with a decreased proportion of intubation. Timely respiratory support and careful determination of consciousness may be crucial in the management of acute pulmonary edema.