Characteristics of prolonged noninvasive ventilation in emergency departments and impact upon effectiveness. Analysis of the VNICat registry

To analyze the characteristics and variables associated with prolonged noninvasive ventilation performed completely in Emergency Departments (NIV-ED) and its influence upon effectiveness. A prospective, multicenter, observational multipurpose cohort study was carried out. VNICAT Registry. Patients in which NIV-ED was performed in 11 Catalan hospitals in the months of February or March 2015. No. The study variable was NIV-ED, which as a function of time was defined as prolonged or not prolonged. The efficacy variable was the success of the technique in terms of patient improvement. A total of 125 patients were included, with a median NIV-ED duration of 12 h, which was the cut-off point for the comparator groups. In 60 cases (48%) NIV-ED was not prolonged (