Treatment with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) did not reduce the need for intubation among patients with pneumonia-induced early mild acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), despite the improved PaO2/FIO2 observed with NIV compared with standard oxygen therapy. High minute ventilation may predict NIV failure.

Two hundred subjects were randomized to NIV (n = 102) or control (n = 98) groups from 21 centers. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. In the NIV group, PaO2/FIO2 became significantly higher than in the control group at 2 h after randomization and remained stable for the first 72 h.

Prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) of NIV compared with conventional administration of oxygen through a Venturi mask.

Primary outcome included the numbers of patients who met the intubation criteria.

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