Obstructive Sleep Apnoea — Practice
A 72-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presents with acute exacerbation. Arterial blood gas on room air shows pH 7.28, PaCO2 68 mmHg, PaO2 52 mmHg, HCO3 30 mEq/L. He is drowsy but rousable. What is the most appropriate ventilatory strategy?
AImmediate endotracheal intubation
BHigh-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask
CNon-invasive positive pressure ventilation (BiPAP)
DControlled low-flow oxygen via Venturi mask alone