The Use of Head Helmets to Deliver Noninvasive Ventilatory Support: a Comprehensive Review of Technical Aspects and Clinical Findings

Overview

Journal Crit Care

Specialty Critical Care

Date 2021 Sep 9

PMID 34496927

Citations 11

Authors

Andrea Coppadoro

Elisabetta Zago

Fabio Pavan

Giuseppe Foti

Giacomo Bellani

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

A helmet, comprising a transparent hood and a soft collar, surrounding the patient's head can be used to deliver noninvasive ventilatory support, both as continuous positive airway pressure and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV), the latter providing active support for inspiration. In this review, we summarize the technical aspects relevant to this device, particularly how to prevent CO rebreathing and improve patient-ventilator synchrony during NPPV. Clinical studies describe the application of helmets in cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, pneumonia, COVID-19, postextubation and immune suppression. A section is dedicated to paediatric use. In summary, helmet therapy can be used safely and effectively to provide NIV during hypoxemic respiratory failure, improving oxygenation and possibly leading to better patient-centred outcomes than other interfaces.

Citing Articles

Investigating Some Effective Factors on the Prediction of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Failure Rate in COVID-19-Related Hypoxemia.

Mehri Z, Mehr A, Molavynejad S, Navarbafzadeh N, Adineh M, Nazari M Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2025; 29(6):697-702.

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Acceptance and Tolerability of Helmet CPAP in Pediatric Bronchiolitis and Pneumonia: A Feasibility Study.

Smith M, Gray M, Wilson P J Pediatr Intensive Care. 2024; 13(3):296-302.

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Helmet Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for Acute Bronchiolitis Respiratory Failure in a Pediatric Ward: Is It a Replicable Experience?.

Musolino A, Persia S, Supino M, Stoppa F, Rotondi Aufiero L, Nacca R Children (Basel). 2024; 11(11).

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Clinical review of non-invasive ventilation.

Criner G, Gayen S, Zantah M, Dominguez Castillo E, Naranjo M, Lashari B Eur Respir J. 2024; 64(5).

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A technique to measure tidal volume during noninvasive respiratory support by continuous-flow helmet CPAP.

Coppadoro A, Bellani G, Foti G J Clin Monit Comput. 2023; 37(6):1473-1479.

PMID: 37329389 PMC: 10651536. DOI: 10.1007/s10877-023-01034-0.

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