Can someone explain BIPAP to me?

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I have read about it but just trying to get a simple explanation for how it works and why it's used. Thanks!

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

What do you know about CPAP? The concepts are somewhat similar...

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Bipap vs cpap

bipap is bi level positive airway pressure. Inspiration and expiration will cause the machine to switch from two pressure settings. This is to maintain airway and facilitate expiration.

cpap is continuous airway pressure. Unlike bipap there is one continuous pressure for inspiration and expiration.

Positive airway pressure is used is used to treat obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, in acute settings it can be used to decrease respiratory acidosis.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Take a look at this.....http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dmr/awp/hpci-risk-cpap-bipap.pdf

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) gives a predetermined level of pressure. It releases a gust of compressed air through a hose which is connected to the nose mask. The continuous air pressure is what keeps the upper airway open. Thus, air pressure prevents obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs as a result of narrowing of the air passage due to the relaxation of upper respiratory tract muscles while the patient sleeps. It assists in increasing the flow of oxygen by keeping the airway open.

CPAP, though primarily used to treat sleep apnea, has also proven useful for those suffering from other respiratory problems.

The Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) is a patented, non-invasive ventilation machine. As the name suggest, it delivers two levels of pressure.

Inspiratory Positive Airway Pressure (IPAP) is a high level of pressure, applied when the patient inhales.

Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (EPAP) is a low level of pressure exerted during exhalation.

BiPAP is used to treat central sleep apnea and severe obstructive sleep apnea. It is also prescribed for patients who suffer from respiratory and heart diseases.

Differences Between CPAP and BiPAP

Uses: CPAP was originally designed to treat sleep apnea, it is also used to treat patients with neuromuscular diseases and respiratory problems.

The BiPAP is used in cases of central sleep apnea, along with respiratory and heart diseases.

Airway Pressure: CPAP delivers air pressure at a single level. The air pressure cannot be altered.

The BiPAP has two levels of airway pressure - high, when the patient inhales, and low when the patient exhales. The air pressure in the BiPAP can be altered.

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Interestingly enough, the machines we use at our institution allow it to be set up as either BiPAP or CPAP. A dedicated BiPAP machine can be setup to function as either BiPAP or CPAP, but a dedicated CPAP machine can only be used as CPAP and not BiPAP. Think of it like all enzymes are proteins, but not all proteins are enzymes.

In the acute care setting, we will use BiPAP when someone is in respiratory distress and/or as a bridge to intubation. You typically won't see a patient in the acute care setting on the floor with BiPAP, they will (or should) most likely be on a step down unit or the ICU.

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Ok thanks. I see a lot of patients on BIPAP where j work on a general med-surg floor. A lot of doctors will order them to be on it and they are usually patients who came in with respiratory problems through the ER or from ICU. Some have orders for continuous, but most are just at night

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