They are the same thing. I believe that Respironics has the copyrights on the word "BiPap". So everyone else has to call it Bilevel or something like that.
"BiPap" is the copyright of Respironics. "BiPap"=PSV+PEEP.It is the abbreviate of "Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure"
Drager has a "bipap" too!It is the abbreviate of "Biphasic Positive Airway Pressure".This BIPAP is often described as a time-cycled alternation between two CPAP levels.
If Evita 4 users go to the Language section and select "Old English" (? I think that's the term) one finds that PCV then is named BIPAP.
So in Europe Drager has termed it's PCV to be BIPAP. (All ventilation is essentially bi-level----though the VDR might be termed tri or even quad level!).
So the term can be a trademarked device (Respironics) in which the mode is usually pressure support (but on the Vision model if the patient doesn't initiate the breath it's Pressure Control). Or it can be PCV mode on the Drager when "ole English" is invoked.
Bloody confusing, heh?
BIPAP: Useful new modality or confusing acronym? Critical Care Medicine. 26(9):1473-1474, September 1998. Silver, Michael R. MD
