What is a potential risk of using non-invasive positive pressure ventilation?

Using non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) can lead to gastric distention as a potential risk. This occurs because the delivery of positive pressure can inadvertently force air into the stomach, especially if there is an improper fitting of the mask or if the patient is receiving high levels of pressure. As air enters the stomach rather than the lungs, it can cause discomfort and potential complications such as nausea or vomiting. This is particularly important to monitor in clinical settings, as gastric distention can also compromise diaphragmatic movement and further impact the patient’s respiratory function.

While there are other risks associated with NIPPV, such as increased work of breathing in certain situations, decreased oxygen saturation can occur due to improper settings, and hypotension can result from overventilation, these factors do not specifically relate to the common consequence of air entering the gastrointestinal tract, which is a direct result of positive pressure ventilation techniques.