Predictors of outcome of noninvasive ventilation in severe COPD exacerbation.

Background: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) reduces the rate of endotracheal intubation (ETI) and overall mortality in severe acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) with acute respiratory failure and is increasingly applied in respiratory intermediate care units. However, inadequate patient selection and incorrect management of NIV increase mortality. We aimed to identify factors that predict the outcome of NIV in AECOPD.