Association between prophylactic intermittent non-invasive positive pressure ventilation and incidence of pneumonia in patients with cervical spinal cord injury: a retrospective single-­center cohort study

Patients with cervical spinal cord injuries (CSCIs) often develop respiratory complications, including pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. This study investigates whether using intermittent non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (iNPPV) can help prevent pneumonia in these patients. The study found that prophylactic iNPPV, which involves using a ventilator to assist breathing at intervals, was associated with a lower incidence of pneumonia, tracheal intubation, and tracheostomy in the acute phase of CSCIs. These findings suggest that iNPPV could be a valuable tool in preventing respiratory complications in patients with acute CSCIs, potentially reducing the need for more invasive interventions and improving patient outcomes.

• 1
  Prophylactic iNPPV was associated with a lower incidence of pneumonia compared to usual care in patients with acute CSCIs.
• 2
  The iNPPV group had significantly lower rates of tracheal intubation and tracheostomy compared to the usual care group.
• 3
  The study found that the use of iNPPV did not increase the incidence of adverse events such as delirium and vomiting.