Use of sedation for adults admitted to the intensive care unit during noninvasive ventilation: an international survey

PurposeNoninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIV) is a common intervention used to treat acute respiratory failure. Unfortunately, many patients find NIV intolerable, ultimately leading to NIV failure, and the need for escalation to intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Hypothetically, sedation may treat NIV intolerance, thereby preventing the need for IMV. We hypothesized that there may be variability in practice regarding …