The BIPAP Ventilator

When a patient suffering from respiratory failure arrives at the Emergency Room of the McGill University Health Centre, one of the first treatments a nurse gives is to apply a Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) ventilator. The BiPAP machine is a non-invasive lightweight breathing apparatus that provides support ventilation via a nasal mask. It supplies two levels of air pressure: when the patient breathes in the pressure is increased, forcing air into the lungs, and when the patient breathes out the pressure is decreased, keeping the air sacs within the lungs open so that more oxygen can enter. Non-invasive ventilation is an improvement over conventional ventilation because the patient requires no sedation, which greatly facilitates patient-doctor communication. The patient also experiences fewer complications and needs less intensive nursing care.

In addition to providing patients with emergency ventilation, BiPAP ventilators are commonly used in the treatment of sleep apnea, congestive cardiac failure and acute exacerbation of obstructive airway diseases, most notably asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These versatile devices cost approximately $25,000 each, which likely seems a small price to pay for the thousands of patients who rely on them, literally, for their next breath of fresh air.

This series is intended to be informative. The McGill University Health Centre Foundation does not endorse any particular manufacturer or model of the equipment shown and described here.