NIV and Oxygen Therapy

You may have been previously prescribed a non-invasive ventilation device or NIV, such as CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) or BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) to help manage your condition. CPAP is often prescribed for sleep apnoea¹, whilst BiPAP is used in cases where you are not getting enough oxygen and cannot get rid of carbon dioxide². Both devices deliver treatment through interfaces such as facemasks or nasal pillows.

Similarly, you may have been prescribed long term oxygen therapy (low flow: nasal cannula or face mask or high flow: Venturi or high flow nasal cannula) to help manage your low oxygen levels.

Sean can arrange a home visit to review the fitting of the NIV or oxygen masks/interfaces and settings, and to ensure that the treatment is optimal and effective^3,4. He will also feedback to your wider medical team if any adaptations need to be made.

References

1. Patil SP, Ayappa IA, Caples SM, Kimoff RJ, Patel SR, Harrod CG. Treatment of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea With Positive Airway Pressure: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and GRADE Assessment. J Clin Sleep Med 2019;15(2):301-334. DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.7638.

2. Sakuraya M, Okano H, Masuyama T, Kimata S, Hokari S. Efficacy of non-invasive and invasive respiratory management strategies in adult patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Crit Care 2021;25(1):414. DOI: 10.1186/s13054-021-03835-8.

3. BaHammam AS, Singh TD, Gupta R, Pandi-Perumal SR. Choosing the Proper Interface for Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Subjects With Acute Respiratory Failure. Respiratory Care 2018;63(2):227-237. DOI: 10.4187/respcare.05787.

4. McDonald CF. Home oxygen therapy. Aust Prescr 2022;45(1):21-24. DOI: 10.18773/austprescr.2022.007.

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