Non-invasive ventilation refers to delivery of assisted ventilation without the use of advanced airways such as endotracheal tube (ET) or a tracheostomy tube. It can be through positive or negative pressure devices and continuous or intermittent. Non-invasive ventilation can be used in acute respiratory failure as well in chronic conditions such as chronic lung disease, respiratory control disorders and thoracic insufficiency syndromes. The advantage in using non-invasive over invasive ventilation in acute setting is that, intubation can be avoided and thus prevents nosocomial infection and also lesser use of sedation. Patients who are on NIMV in an acute setting, continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation and ECG are indicated. Patients with chronic lung conditions can be managed at home on non-invasive ventilation, thus reducing hospital stay. 

Keywords: Non-Invasive Ventilation; NIMV; Home Ventilation.