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The role of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in the management of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is controversial.

To assess the efficacy of NIV in patients with ALI/ARDS, using a meta-analytic technique.

We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for relevant studies published between 1995 and 2009, and included studies that reported endotracheal intubation rate and/or mortality in patients with ALI/ARDS treated with NIV. We calculated the proportions and 95% CIs to assess the outcomes in the individual studies and pooled the results with a random effects model.

Our search yielded 13 eligible studies (540 patients). The intubation rate ranged from 30% to 86%, and the pooled intubation rate was 48% (95% CI 39–58%). The mortality rate ranged from 15% to 71%, and the pooled mortality rate was 35% (95% CI …