Effect of early initiation of noninvasive ventilation in patients transported by emergency medical service for acute heart failure.

Background: While the indication for noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in severely hypoxemic patients with acute heart failure (AHF) is often indicated and may improve clinical course, the benefit of early initiation before patient arrival to the emergency department (ED) remains unknown.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of early initiation of NIV during emergency medical service (EMS) transportation on outcomes in patients with AHF.

Design: A secondary retrospective analysis of the EAHFE (Epidemiology of AHF in EDs) registry.