NiPPV Rescue of COPD Patient with Vapotherm High Velocity Therapy
A 72-year-old male with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension and chronic atrial fibrillation presented to the Emergency Department (ED) at a Tertiary Medical Center in the northeastern region with shortness of breath. His vital signs showed a blood pressure (BP) of 146/80 mmHg, a heart rate of 96 beats per minute, a respiratory rate (RR) of 28 breaths per minute, an oxygen saturation of 82%, and a temperature 101.6°F. Physical assessment revealed an irregularly irregular heart rhythm, breath sounds with bilateral air entry, but diminished, a soft, non-tender abdomen and pulses palpable in all extremities.