Prehospital Non-invasive Ventilation for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The application of NIV will be performed using af a facemask as soon as possible after the patient has been randomized by opening the opaque envelope. All patients will receive the same standardized ventilator settings at initiation. The IPAP will be set at 12 cm H2O and the PEEP at 5 cm H2O. Oxygen delivery will be adjusted to an arterial oxygen saturation of 88-92%. Further adjustment of ventilator settings and evaluation of treatment effect will be at the discretion of the prehospital physician.