Abstract: The objective was to summarize and analyze our experience in the noninvasive positive pressure ventilation(NIPPV)therapy for the acute respiratory insufficiency patients due to severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS),and to evaluate the effects of NIPPVon treatment for SARS.25cases of SARS with acute lung injury on NIPPV were studied restrospectively in order to investigate the implications of NIPPV in improving oxygenation according to collectable relevant physical findings and laboratory measurements documented before and within 24h after initiation of support.NIPPV was an effective treatment in ameliorating dyspnea or tachypnea and tachycardia,decreasing the amount of spontaneous work of breathing and correcting the rapid shallow breathing,decreasing heart rate(HR)and respiratory rate(RR)(P<0.05),and increasing saturation of oxygen(SpO₂ )and modificative respiratory index(MRI)(P<0.05)for the majority of SARS patients with acute respiratory dysfunction within 24h after initiation of therapy.NIPPV can be considered as a valid therapeutic option in short-term stage for SARS patients with hypoxemia,and it also should be considered as first-line intervention in the early phases of SARS with acute respiratory insufficiency before eventual endotracheal intubation.The conventional use of NIPPV in SARS patients with hypoxaemic acute respiratory failure still remains controversial,however.The application of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation may be an effective treatment in correcting gas exchange abnormalities,relieving respiratory distress and,perhaps,avoiding or decreasing the need for endotracheal intubation in selected patients with acute respiratory insufficiency secondary to SARS.

Key words: severe acute respiratory syndrome, acute respiratory failure, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation