Objective To investigate the effects of noninvasive ventilation for the treatment of acute respiratory failure secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS) . Methods 127 patients with complete information were collected from the database of SARS in Guangdong province, who were all consistent with the ALI/ARDS diagnostic criteria. The patients were divided into three groups depending on ventilation status, ie. a no-ventilation group, a noninvasive ventilation group, and a mechanical ventilation group. The outcome of ventilation treatmentwas followed up.Multi-factor regression analysis was conducted to analyze the relations of ventilation treatment with ARDS and mortality, and factors associated with success of noninvasive ventilation. Results As soon as the patients met the diagnostic criteria of ALI/ARDS, the patients in the noninvasive ventilation group were in more serious condition and had a higher proportion of ARDS compared with the no-ventilation group ( P lt;0. 01) . The patients in the mechanical ventilation group had a higher mortality rate ( P lt;0.01) . 6 and 7 patients in the no-ventilation group had noninvasive ventilation and invasive ventilation thereafter, respectively. 15 patients in the noninvasive group switched to invasive ventilation. Compared with the patients without ventilation ( n =45) , the patients receiving noninvasive ventilation ( n = 61) were in more serious condition and at higher risk of developing ARDS ( P lt;0. 01) , but the mortality was not different between them ( P gt; 0. 05) . The patients who continued to receive noninvasive ventilation ( n = 40) were in more serious condition, and at higher risk of developing ARDS compared with the patients without ventilation ( n = 45) ( P lt; 0. 01) . 15 patients in the noninvasive group who switched to invasive ventilation were older than those patients continuing noninvasive ventilation.Conclusions For SARS patients fulfilling the ALI/ARDS criteria, the patients underwent noninvasive ventilation are more severe, run a higher probability of developing ARDS from ALI. But earlier initiation of noninvasive ventilation has no impact on mortality. The patients who tolerate noninvasive ventilation can avoid intubation, especially for young patients. However, the time and indication of shifting from noninvasive ventilation to invasive ventilation should be emphasized.