Extracorporeal CO2 Removal in Hypercapnic Patients

Noninvasive ventilation represents the standard of care for patients with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, NIV fails in almost 30% of the most severe forms of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure and patients must undergo endotracheal intubation and invasive ventilation to restore adequate gas exchange. Under these circumstances, patients may express a clear intention not to be intubated.The aim of this study is to retrospectively assess efficacy and safety of noninvasive ventilation- plus-extracorporeal Co2 removal in patients who fail NIV and refuse endotracheal intubation.