Any form of positive-pressure ventilation is deleterious during cardiac arrest because the increase in intrathoracic pressure decreases venous return to the heart and perfusion of the heart and brain.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation ( NIPPV ) for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) patients on general wards.

This paper introduces the idea, the classification and clinical application of the intermittent positive pressure ventilation mode.