What is BiPAP?

BiPAP, which stands for Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure, is a non-invasive ventilation method that provides two distinct levels of pressure to assist patients with breathing. It operates by delivering a higher pressure during inhalation, known as IPAP (Inspiratory Positive Airway Pressure), to support the patient’s breathing effort, and a lower pressure during exhalation, referred to as EPAP (Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure), to keep the airways open and enhance oxygenation.

This biphasic approach allows for more comfortable breathing, particularly beneficial for patients with conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or those who require assistance beyond standard continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which maintains a single level of pressure throughout the breathing cycle. The dual pressure settings make BiPAP an effective choice for managing respiratory failure and improving ventilatory support in scenarios where patients may have difficulty maintaining adequate ventilation on their own.

Understanding this distinction is crucial since BiPAP is characterized by its ability to adapt to varying breathing needs, which is not the focus of invasive ventilation methods, high-flow oxygen therapy devices, or manual ventilation techniques.