Helium:Oxygen Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in Patients Exposed to Sulfur Mustard

Helium:Oxygen Versus Air:Oxygen Nonivasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in Patients Exposed to Sulfur Mustard

to assess the effect of Heliox with Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation to decrease dyspnea and improve physiologic and respiratory measures in patients with a previous exposure to Sulfur Mustard gas.

Inclusion Criteria:

• exposure to sulfur mustard
• worsening dyspnea during the last 10 days
• respiratory rate of >25/min
• arterial pH<7.35
• PaCO2 of >50 mmHg
• PaO2 of <50 mmHg

Exclusion Criteria:

• recent pneumothorax (<1 month)
• severe respiratory failure or hemodynamic instability with forthcoming intubation
• FIO2 of <0.4
• impaired consciousness or absence of patient cooperation
• facial lesions precluding NIPPV