I want to break free: liberation from noninvasive ventilation

A lot of emphasis has been placed on the weaning process from invasive mechanical ventilation, since prolonged ventilation has been associated with increased length of intensive care unit stay, increased levels of complications and increased costs. Weaning in this respect may be considered as an “all or none” phenomenon, since the patients are abruptly removed from any form of ventilator support after extubation unless they are placed on noninvasive ventilation (NIV). In patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF), particularly those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the use of NIV is considered to be the first line treatment.