Effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) face mask Boussignac-Vygon as a treatment of acute respiratory failure: A-603

Background and Goal of Study: Among different types of non-invasive mechanical ventilation, in recent years a face CPAP mask (Boussignac-Vygon) has been developed and used in a mode of CPAP ventilation. An O₂ supply is used to create through a special valve mechanism continuos positive pressure in the airways; the aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of CPAP Boussignac system as treatment of acute respiratory failure in ICU patients.

Material and Methods: We have studied all patients with acute respiratory failure treated with CPAP Boussignac during a four years period. In all patients CPAP was applied at a setting of 5-7 cms H₂O. Main variables were demographic data, SAPS value, etiology of respiratory failure, length of treatment and its complications, changes in arterial blood gases and clinical data.

Results and Discussion: 20 patients were enrolled; 17 patients (85%) were men and 3 (15%) were women. Mean age was 54.8 yr ( ± 24.35) with a range from 22 to 85 yr; 9 patients were postoperative ones and 11 were traumatic. Etiology of acute respiratory failure was: 7 pacients (35%) with atelectasis, 2 (10%) with pleural effusion, 2 (10%) with pneumonia, 1 (5%) with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema and 8 patients (40%) with thoracic trauma. Mean SAPS was 29 (±11); mean CPAP treatment length was 32.95 hours (±24.35) with a range from 3 to 101 hours. Intubation was necessary in 3 cases (15%).

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Conclusions: CPAP-Boussignac system is a respiratory support that is easy to use, it is well tolerated and has a low cost and it could avoid intubation in certain conditions. In our study it has been useful in 85% of patients with and improvement of FiO₂/pO₂ and SatO₂ parameters after treatment.