Bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mode

Modes of mechanical ventilation

Modes of mechanical ventilation are one of the most important aspects of the usage of mechanical ventilation. The mode refers to the method of inspiratory support. Mode selection is generally based on clinician familiarity and institutional preferences since there is a paucity of evidence...

 used during noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. It delivers a preset inspiratory positive airway pressure (IPAP) and expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP). B_PAP can be described as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure system with a time-cycled change of the applied CPAP level. C_PAP, B_PAP and other non-invasive ventilation modes have been shown to be effective management tools for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , also known as chronic obstructive lung disease , chronic obstructive airway disease , chronic airflow limitation and chronic obstructive respiratory disease , is the co-occurrence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases...

 and acute respiratory failure.

Discouraged terminology
Often B_PAP is incorrectly referred to as "BiPAP". BiPAP® is the name of a portable ventilator manufactured by Respironics Corporation; it is just one of many ventilators that can deliver B_PAP.

Settings and measurements

• I_pap — This is the pressure applied during patient triggered breaths.
• E_pap — This is the pressure applied in between patient triggered breaths. Could also be considered a continuous positive pressure.
• FiO₂ — The fractional O2 percentage that is being added to the delivered air.
• V_f — On many machines a respiratory rate it set as a guarantee for intermittent bursts of I_pap.