Factors affecting success of NIV
| Success | Failure | |
| Number of patients | 8 | 13 |
| Age starting NIV (years) | 65.5±6.3 | 65.7±8.3 |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 26.1±7.4 | 22.6±5.3 |
| Bulbar MND | 1 | 10* |
| Urgent NIV | 2 | 6 |
| VC (l) | 2.1±0.7 | 1.3±0.7* |
| PEG in situ | 2 | 7 |
| VC <1.5 l or <50% predicted | 2 | 10* |
| Pco2 (kPa) | 7.7±2.8 | 7.3±2.3 |
| Base excess (mmol/l) | 3.4±4.1 | 6.3±4.3 |
| Bicarbonate (mmol/l) | 27.0±2.8 | 30.3±1.3* |
| Most common reasons for stopping NIV | Death 5 | Not tolerated 6, death 4 |
BMI, body mass index; MND, motor neurone disease; NIV, non-invasive ventilation; Pco2, carbon dioxide tension; VC, vital capacity.
*p<0.05.