Non-invasive Ventilation in Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is chronic progressive airway disorder characterized by irreversible or fixed airflow limitation. Interspersed in the chronic downhill course are episodes of acute flare ups of inflammation, mostly due to infections, termed as acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). COPD is a major health problem and one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among the middle aged and elderly people both in developed and developing countries. Further, the prevalence of COPD is increasing and is projected to rank number three amongst all the causes of loss of DALYS (disability adjusted life years) in India by the year 2020.