Clinical factors associated with the use of NIV in the pre-hospital setting in adult patients treated for acute COPD exacerbation: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Background: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is a cornerstone in the management of acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations with respiratory failure. While extensively studied in hospital settings, limited data exist on its use in the pre-hospital setting and clinical factors influencing its application. This study aimed to identify predictors of NIV use in the pre-hospital setting and to assess its association with patient-centered outcomes.