Tracheostomy tubes.

Tracheostomy tubes are used to administer positive-pressure ventilation, to provide a patent airway, and to provide access to the lower respiratory tract for airway clearance. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles from several manufacturers. The dimensions of tracheostomy tubes are given by their inner diameter, outer diameter, length, and curvature.

Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in acute respiratory failure outside clinical trials: experience at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Background: Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) has been shown to be effective in select patients enrolled in clinical trials. However, few data are available on the use of NPPV as routine standard medical care for patients with respiratory failure outside of controlled trials.

Measurements And Main Results: All patients receiving NPPV for a 1-yr period for acute or acute on chronic respiratory failure who did not select do not intubate/resuscitate status were evaluated.

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation reverses acute respiratory failure in select "do-not-intubate" patients.

Objective: To determine the outcome from the use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in "do-not-intubate" (DNI) patients in acute respiratory failure.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: University-affiliated large medical center.