BiPAP
Medical abbreviation · Respiratory
| Stands for | Bilevel positive airway pressure |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
BiPAP stands for Bilevel positive airway pressure, a respiratory abbreviation.
Noninvasive ventilation that delivers a higher pressure when the patient breathes in (IPAP) and a lower pressure when breathing out (EPAP), assisting ventilation and helping remove carbon dioxide. It is used for COPD exacerbations with hypercapnia, obesity hypoventilation and neuromuscular disease.
Example: BiPAP 14/6, rate 12; repeat ABG in 1 hour: pH improved from 7.26 to 7.33.
Usage notes
BiPAP is a registered trademark of Respironics (now part of Philips), so the generic terms BPAP or bilevel PAP appear in guidelines and insurance documents. The difference between IPAP and EPAP sets the pressure support that augments each breath. Patients who cannot protect their airway or are vomiting are poor candidates. Pronounced "BYE-pap."
Related abbreviations
More respiratory abbreviations
- APAP – Automatic positive airway pressure
- APRV – Airway pressure release ventilation
- ARDS – Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- ARF – Acute respiratory failure
- ATS – American Thoracic Society
- BAL – Bronchoalveolar lavage
- BOOP – Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia
- BPD – Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- CAP – Community-acquired pneumonia
- CF – Cystic fibrosis
- COP – Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia
- COPD – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.