Table 1.

Contraindications to noninvasive ventilation

Absolute

Need for emergency intubation

Cardiac or respiratory arrest

Relative

Inability to cooperate, protect the airways, or abundant secretions

Reduced level of consciousness (excepting hypercapnic acidosis in COPD)

Non-respiratory organ failure (encephalopathy, malignant arrhythmia, severe gastrointestinal bleeding with hemodynamic instability)

Face or neurological surgery

Face trauma or deformity

High risk of aspiration

Upper airway obstruction

Recent esophageal anastomosis (avoid pressurization above 15cmH2O)

COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.