Long-term Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation Research Articles

Internet of things-based management versus standard management of home noninvasive ventilation in COPD patients with hypercapnic chronic respiratory failure: a multicentre randomized controlled non-inferiority trial

Effective monitoring and management are crucial during long-term home noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in patients with hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigated the benefit of Internet of Things (IOT)-based management of home NPPV. This multicenter, prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled non-inferiority trial enrolled patients requiring long-term home NPPV for hypercapnic COPD. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1), via a computer-generated randomization sequence, to standard home management or IOT management based on telemonitoring of clinical and ventilator parameters over 12 months. The intervention was unblinded, but outcome assessment was blinded to management assignment. The primary outcome was the between-group comparison of the change in health-related quality of life, based on severe respiratory insufficiency questionnaire scores with a non-inferiority margin of-5. This study is registered with Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (No. ChiCTR1800019536). Overall, 148 patients (age: 72.7±6.8 years; male: 85.8%; forced expiratory volume in 1s: 0.7±0.3L; PaCO2: 66.4±12.0mmHg), recruited from 11 Chinese hospitals between January 24, 2019, and June 28, 2021, were randomly allocated to the intervention group (n=73) or the control group (n=75). At 12 months, the mean severe respiratory insufficiency questionnaire score was 56.5 in the intervention group and 50.0 in the control group (adjusted between-group difference: 6.26 [95% CI, 3.71-8.80]; P<0.001), satisfying the hypothesis of non-inferiority. The 12-month risk of readmission was 34.3% in intervention group compared with 56.0% in the control group, adjusted hazard ratio of 0.56 (95% CI, 0.34-0.92; P=0.023). No severe adverse events were reported. Among stable patients with hypercapnic COPD, using IOT-based management for home NPPV improved health-related quality of life and prolonged the time to readmission. Air Liquide Healthcare (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Baseline Level and Reduction in PaCO2 are Associated with the Treatment Effect of Long-Term Home Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in Stable Hypercapnic Patients with COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PurposeThe evidence of long-term home noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (LTHNIPPV) in patients with stable hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is controversial. In this meta-analysis study, we sought to establish whether a baseline level and reduction in partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) were associated with the treatment effect of LTHNIPPV in these patients.Patients and MethodsSix electronic databases were comprehensively searched from January 1980 until June 2020. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing LTHNIPPV with control treatment were included. Two authors independently extracted data, assessed the study quality, and used the GRADE approach to evaluate evidence quality. The main outcome was mortality.ResultsNineteen studies involving 1482 patients (LTHNIPPV, n = 730; control, n = 752) were included. LTHNIPPV significantly reduced mortality (relative risk [RR] = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61–0.95; p = 0.02; I2 = 14%), the frequency of hospital admissions, PaCO2, and improved partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) compared to control treatment. LTHNIPPV also relieved dyspnea and improved exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQL) but showed no significant benefit for improving the forced expiratory volume in one second in predicted (FEV1% pred). Subgroup analysis revealed that the baseline level and reduction in PaCO2 were associated with decreased mortality (baseline PaCO2 ≥ 55 mmHg RR = 0.69, P = 0.02; vs baseline PaCO2 < 55 mmHg RR = 0.87, P = 0.32; and higher dPaCO2 RR = 0.42, P < 0.0001; vs lower dPaCO2 RR = 0.91, P = 0.38).ConclusionLTHNIPPV significantly reduced mortality. The baseline level and reduction in PaCO2 were associated with the treatment effect of LTHNIPPV in patients with stable hypercapnic COPD. Large-scale, multicenter RCTs are needed to confirm our results.

Management of Rare Causes of Pediatric Chronic Respiratory Failure

The need for long-term noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NiPPV) in children with chronic respiratory failure is rapidly growing. This article reviews pediatric-specific considerations of NiPPV therapy. Indications for NiPPV therapy can be categorized by the cause of the respiratory failure: (1) upper airway obstruction, (2) musculoskeletal and/or neuromuscular disease, (3) lower respiratory tract diseases, and (4) control of breathing abnormalities. The role of NiPPV therapy in select rare conditions (spinal muscular atrophy, congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, and Chiari malformations) is also reviewed.

Long-term outcome with focus on pulmonary hypertension in Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome.

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a frequent comorbidity in Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS). We investigated long-term outcome of OHS with a particular emphasis on PH. In a prospective design, 64 patients with OHS and established noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV), were assessed by serum biomarkers, right heart catheterization, blood gases analysis, lung function, Epworth-Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), World Health Organization-functional class (WHO-FC) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) via the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency (SRI) questionnaire. After a planned follow-up of 5years patients were reassessed regarding vital status, WHO-FC, ESS, SRI, PSQI, body mass index (BMI) and NPPV use. Prognostic markers were explored using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. At the 5-year follow-up, BMI tended to decrease (P=0.05), while WHO-FC, ESS and PSQI remained unchanged. HRQL deteriorated in terms of SRI summary score and most subdomains (P<.05 each). NPPV adherence still was high (89%), while daily NPPV use increased from 6.7 (5.1; 8.0)h/d to 8.2 (7.4; 9.0)h/d (P<.05). After a 5-year follow-up, mortality was 25.8%. In univariate regression analyses only age>69.5years (HR=4.145, 95%-CI=1.180-14.565, P=0.016), NT-proBNP>1256pg/mL (HR=5.162, 95%-CI=1.136-23.467, P=0.018), diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO, %pred) (HR=0.341, 95%-CI=0.114-1.019, P=0.043) and higher oxygen use during daytime (HR=5.236, 95%-CI=1.489-18.406, P=0.004) predicted mortality. No independent factor predicting mortality was detected in multivariate analysis. Despite a high long-term NPPV use HRQL worsened. Age, oxygen use at baseline, DLCO (%pred) and NT-proBNP, as a surrogate parameter for PH, were related to long-term survival.

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in stable patients with COPD.

Long-term noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIV) used to be a controversial form of therapy for patients with stable hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (SH-COPD). New evidence described in this review defines the optimal settings, timing and target population for NIV utilization in SH-COPD necessary to maximize its benefit. NIV, when titrated appropriately, leads to improved clinical outcomes. High inspiratory positive airway pressures aimed at decreasing CO2 levels can ensure NIV success in SH-COPD. NIV initiated when patients remain hypercapnic whereas in a clinical stable state following an acute exacerbation can prolong the time to a readmission. Technological advances in NIV algorithms and remote monitoring have the potential to improve use and titration. NIV and portable NIV improve exercise tolerance and may accentuate the benefits derived from pulmonary rehabilitation alone. Use of high-intensity NIV in SH-COPD is beneficial yet appropriate patient selection and implementation is paramount.

Framework for patient-ventilator asynchrony during long-term non-invasive ventilation

Episodes of patient-ventilator asynchrony (PVA) occur during acute and chronic non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIV). In long-term NIV, description and quantification of PVA is not standardised, thus limiting assessment of...

Effects of long-term non-invasive ventilation on sleep structure in children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 2

ObjectiveChanges of sleep architecture have been reported in children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 2 (SMA2), mainly represented by a decrease of arousability. No studies have evaluated the effect of long-term ventilation on sleep parameters in these children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (LTNPPV) on sleep architecture and to assess the residual differences from normal controls. MethodsNine consecutive children with SMA2 underwent two distinct polysomnographic (PSG) studies, one in spontaneous breathing, and subsequently after LTNPPV. The results were then compared to 15 age-matched controls. ResultsSMA2 patients showed only slightly modified sleep architecture on LTNPPV: increased stage N2% and decreased number of awakenings, while several significant differences persisted between SMA2 patients on LTNPPV and controls (decreased total sleep time, number of awakenings, sleep efficiency, and percentage of REM sleep). Sleep microstructure, evaluated by means of the Cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) showed only marginal changes on LTNPPV (small shortening of CAP A1 subtype duration and small increase in CAP A3 index). Conversely, CAP parameters on LTNPPV showed significant differences between SMA2 patients vs. controls, with increased A1 subtype percentage and decreased percentage of A2 and A3 subtypes. ConclusionsThis is the first study in children affected by SMA2 reporting data on sleep microstructure and their changes after LTNPPV. We found persisting, small but important changes in sleep microstructure during LTNPPV in these children, suggesting that this treatment only partially improves their arousability.

Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in the home setting.

Noninvasive ventilation is becoming a more commonly used long-term treatment for various conditions in which the patient experiences chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (type 2 respiratory failure). This article aims to discuss why patients require long-term noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV), and to describe some of the care considerations required for this patient group, in addition to challenges that nurses in the home care environment face when supporting these patients at home. The article provides a brief pathophysiological overview, while also discussing the use of NPPV as symptom support for patients with severe disease in the later stages of their lives. The term 'noninvasive positive pressure ventilation' is used to cover a number of different noninvasive systems, although the study primarily focuses on bi-level ventilation systems.

Long-term home non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in children: Results from a single center in Japan

BackgroundNon-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in children has recently increased worldwide and is used not only for neuromuscular diseases but for various other diseases. However, there have been few observational studies on long-term NPPV in children in Japan. MethodsBased on medical records, we retrospectively evaluated patients aged ≤20 years who were initiated long-term NPPV at our hospital from January 2001 to December 2015. ResultsA total of 53 patients on long-term NPPV were identified; 38 (72%) had severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID). Compared to those with non-neuromuscular diseases, those with neuromuscular diseases had significantly more planned initiations and less frequent use of oxygen. Regarding patient outcome, 34 patients continued NPPV (64%), and there were three discontinues (6%), seven tracheostomies (13%), and nine deaths (17%). The continuation rate was high among those with neuromuscular disorders (15/19 cases, 79%) and that of tracheotomy was high in those with metabolic/degenerative diseases (3/9 cases, 33%). Ten patients transitioned to adult care, accounting for 29% of the 34 continuing patients. ConclusionThis is the first observational study on long-term NPPV use in children in Japan that examined outcomes in patients with a range of disorders. The initiation situation, management, and outcomes differed between patients with neuromuscular and non-neuronal muscular diseases. Long-term use of NPPV is possible in many cases, including children with SMID, but can be challenging to continue in patients with progressive diseases such as metabolic/degenerative diseases. Careful discussions regarding the management of each patient are necessary.

Efficacy of long-term noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in stable hypercapnic COPD patients with respiratory failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

IntroductionThe efficacy of long-term noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in stable hypercapnic COPD patients with respiratory failure remains unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to critically assess the efficacy of long-term NPPV on mortality, acute exacerbation, exercise capacity, symptoms and significant physiological parameters (lung function, respiratory muscle function and gas exchange).Patients and methodsWe performed an electronic literature search using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, OVID and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database in May 2017. Studies comparing treatment effects of NPPV with oxygen therapy in stable hypercapnic COPD patients with respiratory failure were conducted, and at least one of the following parameters were reviewed: frequency of acute exacerbation, mortality, lung function, respiratory muscle function, gas exchange, exercise capacity.ResultsSeven studies with 810 subjects were identified. The partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) significantly decreased in patients who received long-term NPPV (weighted mean difference [WMD] −3.73, 95% CI: −5.83 to −1.64, P=0.0005). No significant difference was found in mortality, partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), frequency of acute exacerbation, lung function, respiratory muscle function and exercise capacity. The subgroup analysis showed that NPPV significantly improved the survival of patients when it was targeted at greatly reducing hypercapnia (WMD 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.64, P=0.0006).ConclusionThe results indicate that long-term NPPV decreases the PaCO2 of stable hypercapnic COPD patients with respiratory failure and improves mortality with the aim of reducing PaCO2.

Therapeutic effect of long-term noninvasive positive pressure ventilation on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review

To determine the efficacy of long-term noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) on stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Information was collected from the database of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, WeiPu, PubMed, EMbase, CBM (from the begining to October 2014). Statistical analysis was performed with the Cochrane Collaboration's software RevMan 5.2. A total of 23 trials involving 1 200 patients were included. RESULTS showed that NPPV can reduce PaCO2 and improve PaO2 in patients with stable COPD; two years of NPPV can delay the decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), increase six-minutes walk distance (6MWD) and reduce mortality in patients with stable COPD (OR=0.62, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.82). NPPV can improve the arterial blood gas in patients, and the longer the application of NPPV, the better effect; NPPV can increase exercise endurance and improve the quality of life for the patients; long application of NPPV can delay the decline in FEV1and FVC (2 years or longer); NPPV can reduce the mortality of COPD patients.

Sleep quality and health-related quality of life in patients receiving long-term non-invasive positive pressure ventilation

Sleep quality and health-related quality of life in patients receiving long-term non-invasive positive pressure ventilation

Low-intensity noninvasive ventilation: Lower pressure, more exacerbations of chronic respiratory failure.

BACKGROUND:For patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF) who are treated with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV), a little is known regarding the effects of low-intensity NPPV (LI-NPPV) on the clinical course of CRF and the frequency of adjustments in these patients.OBJECTIVES:This study investigated the effects of LI-NPPV on the clinical course of patients with CRF as compared with patients who were treated with conventional NPPV (C-NPPV) and determined how frequently NPPV was adjusted during therapy.METHODS:Clinical data from 21 patients who received long-term NPPV were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the level of initial pressure support (PS): C-NPPV group (PS ≥ 10 cm H2O) and LI-NPPV group (PS < 10 cm H2O).RESULTS:Patients in the LI-NPPV group had significantly more exacerbations of CRF (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of patients who required adjustments of NPPV settings between the two groups. There was no significant difference in PaCO2 levels 1 month after the start of NPPV between the two groups; however, PaCO2 levels were significantly lower after 1 year in the C-group (P < 0.001). Seventy-one percent of LI-NPPV patients and 43% of C-NPPV patients needed NPPV adjustments.CONCLUSIONS:Attention should be paid to CRF patients who are initially administered LI-NPPV; they should be carefully observed because they can develop more exacerbations of CRF than patients undergoing C-NPPV. If possible, higher initial PS should be administered to prevent CRF exacerbations.

A muscular dystrophy case performing long-term volume-type non-invasive positive pressure ventilation

A muscular dystrophy case performing long-term volume-type non-invasive positive pressure ventilation

Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for the treatment of severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a prospective, multicentre, randomised, controlled clinical trial

Evidence is weak for the ability of long-term non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) to improve survival in patients with stable hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Previous prospective studies did not target a reduction in hypercapnia when adjusting ventilator settings. This study investigated the effect of long-term NPPV, targeted to markedly reduce hypercapnia, on survival in patients with advanced, stable hypercapnic COPD. This investigator-initiated, prospective, multicentre, randomised, controlled clinical trial enrolled patients with stable GOLD stage IV COPD and a partial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2) of 7 kPa (51.9 mm Hg) or higher and pH higher than 7.35. NPPV was targeted to reduce baseline PaCO2 by at least 20% or to achieve PaCO2 values lower than 6.5 kPa (48.1 mm Hg). Patients were randomly assigned (in a 1:1 ratio) via a computer-generated randomisation sequence with a block size of four, to continue optimised standard treatment (control group) or to receive additional NPPV for at least 12 months (intervention group). The primary outcome was 1-year all-cause mortality. Analysis was by intention to treat. The intervention was unblinded, but outcome assessment was blinded to treatment assignment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00710541. Patients were recruited from 36 respiratory units in Germany and Austria, starting on Oct 29, 2004, and terminated with a record of the vital status on July 31, 2011. 195 patients were randomly assigned to the NPPV group (n=102) or to the control group (n=93). All patients from the control group and the NPPV group were included in the primary analysis. 1-year mortality was 12% (12 of 102 patients) in the intervention group and 33% (31 of 93 patients) in the control group; hazard ratio 0.24 (95% CI 0.11-0.49; p=0.0004). 14 (14%) patients reported facial skin rash, which could be managed by changing the type of the mask. No other intervention-related adverse events were reported. The addition of long-term NPPV to standard treatment improves survival of patients with hypercapnic, stable COPD when NPPV is targeted to greatly reduce hypercapnia. German Lung Foundation; ResMed, Germany; Tyco Healthcare, Germany; and Weinmann, Germany.

Medical Hypnosis as a Tool to Acclimatize Children to Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation

Background Patient cooperation is crucial for the success of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). This study evaluated the efficacy of medical hypnosis to reduce anticipatory anxiety and acclimatization time in children who are candidates for long-term NPPV. Methods Medical hypnosis was performed by a trained nurse. The acclimatization time and long-term compliance with NPPV were evaluated. Results Hypnosis was performed in nine children aged 2 to 15 years. Seven children had a high level of anticipatory anxiety because of a tracheotomy since birth (n = 2), a history of maxillofacial surgery (n = 2), severe dyspnea because of lung disease (n = 2), and morbid obesity and depression (n = 1), and two children with obstructive sleep apnea failed standard NPPV initiation. The hypnosis techniques were based on distraction in the youngest patient and indirect or direct hypnotic suggestions in the older children to obtain a progressive psychocorporal relaxation. All patients accepted the interface and the NPPV after the first hypnosis session. A median of three sessions was needed for overnight (> 6 h) NPPV acceptance. The 6-month compliance with NPPV was excellent, with a median use of 7.5 h per night. Conclusion Medical hypnosis is an effective, safe, noninvasive, and inexpensive tool for reducing the anticipatory distress and acclimatization time for NPPV. This therapy is particularly useful in children with traumatic experiences, such as a tracheotomy or facial surgical procedures. Patient cooperation is crucial for the success of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). This study evaluated the efficacy of medical hypnosis to reduce anticipatory anxiety and acclimatization time in children who are candidates for long-term NPPV. Medical hypnosis was performed by a trained nurse. The acclimatization time and long-term compliance with NPPV were evaluated. Hypnosis was performed in nine children aged 2 to 15 years. Seven children had a high level of anticipatory anxiety because of a tracheotomy since birth (n = 2), a history of maxillofacial surgery (n = 2), severe dyspnea because of lung disease (n = 2), and morbid obesity and depression (n = 1), and two children with obstructive sleep apnea failed standard NPPV initiation. The hypnosis techniques were based on distraction in the youngest patient and indirect or direct hypnotic suggestions in the older children to obtain a progressive psychocorporal relaxation. All patients accepted the interface and the NPPV after the first hypnosis session. A median of three sessions was needed for overnight (> 6 h) NPPV acceptance. The 6-month compliance with NPPV was excellent, with a median use of 7.5 h per night. Medical hypnosis is an effective, safe, noninvasive, and inexpensive tool for reducing the anticipatory distress and acclimatization time for NPPV. This therapy is particularly useful in children with traumatic experiences, such as a tracheotomy or facial surgical procedures.

Polygraphic respiratory events during sleep with noninvasive ventilation in children: description, prevalence, and clinical consequences

The optimal monitoring during sleep with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) has not been validated in children. The aim of the study was to describe on polygraphic (PG) recordings the respiratory events and associated autonomic arousals (AA) and/or 3 % desaturations (DS3%) during nocturnal NPPV. This was a prospective descriptive study performed in the pulmonology unit of a pediatric university hospital. Consecutive patients admitted for routine follow-up of long-term NPPV were enrolled. Nocturnal PG during sleep with NPPV was performed. A second PG was performed after adjustment of the ventilatory settings when a respiratory event occurred more than 50 times/h. The PG tracings of 39 patients (age range 1-18 years) were analyzed. Underlying diagnoses included neuromuscular disease (n = 13), obstructive sleep apnea (n = 15), and lung disease (n = 11). Unintentional leaks, patient-ventilator asynchronies, decrease in ventilatory drive, upper airway obstruction with or without reduction of ventilatory drive, and mixed events were observed in 27, 33, 10, 11, 12, and 3 % of the patients, respectively. A predominant respiratory event was observed in all patients. The mean duration spent with respiratory events was 32 ± 30 % (range 3-96 %) of total recording time. Unintentional leaks were the most frequently associated with AA, whereas patient-ventilator asynchronies were rarely associated with AA or DS3%. In eight re-evaluated patients, a decrease in the main event was observed (p = 0.005). Respiratory events during sleep with NPPV are common in children treated with long-term NPPV. Consequences of respiratory events vary according to the type of event with unintentional leaks being associated preferentially with AA.

Interfaces for long-term noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in children

The aim of the study was to report the type and tolerance of the interface chosen for long-term noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in children. This was a descriptive study carried out in the clinical setting of a pediatric university hospital in which all children started on long-term NPPV over a 18-month period were included. NPPV was started in 97 children with neuromuscular disease or thoracic scoliosis (n = 35), obstructive sleep apnea with (n = 32) or without (n = 21) maxillofacial deformity, or lung disease (n = 9). All 25 children ≤ 2 years of age, as well as four older children, were fitted with custom-made nasal masks; all other children were fitted with an industrial nasal mask (50%), a facial mask (16%), or nasal prongs (2%). Industrial masks with and without manufactured leaks were used in 33 (34%) and 35 (36%) children, respectively. All patients with obstructive sleep apnea used interfaces with manufactured leaks, whereas all patients with neuromuscular disease or thoracic scoliosis used interfaces without manufactured leaks. Both types of interfaces were used in patients with lung disease. The interface had to be changed in 20 patients because of discomfort (n = 16), leaks (n = 4), facial growth (n = 3), skin injury (n = 2), or change of the ventilatory mode (n = 2). A second or third mask change was necessary in nine and four patients, respectively. The choice of the interface for NPPV in children is determined by the patient's age and the underlying disease. Discomfort is the main reason for mask change.

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in COPD

Educational aims To take up the ongoing debate on whether long-term noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) should be applied in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure. To elucidate the impact of NPPV techniques on NPPV success in COPD. To describe the technique and scientific evidence for the new concept of high-intensity NPPV. To provide practical considerations on how to commence high-intensity NPPV. To outline important unknowns regarding long-term NPPV in COPD patients. Summary Home mechanical ventilation, as provided by long-term NPPV, is a widely accepted treatment option for many patient groups with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure, including also those with COPD, even though the rationale for long-term NPPV in COPD patients is still disputed. This is based on clinical observations that conventional NPPV using assisted ventilation and low mean inspiratory pressures of Recently, however, a promising technique of NPPV has been described, which aims at maximally improving gas exchange by the use of controlled ventilation and considerably higher inspiratory pressures, typically ranging 20–40 cmH2O. This is known as high-intensity NPPV. This approach clearly contrasts with the conventional, low-intensity approach. High-intensity NPPV has been shown to improve physiological parameters such as breathing pattern, gas exchange and lung function. In addition, it also provides clinical benefits, with improvements in dyspnoea, walking distance and specific aspects of health-related quality of life. The superiority of high- over low-intensity NPPV has been clearly established by randomised crossover trials. Increasing evidence now exists to support the contention that long-term high-intensity NPPV offers a new therapeutic option in the treatment of hypercapnic COPD. However, the questions of whether high-intensity NPPV is also capable of improving survival and how to best select candidates to undergo long-term high-intensity NPPV remain pressing. This article also provides detailed practical descriptions of how to initiate high-intensity NPPV.

Value of gas exchange recording at home in children receiving non‐invasive ventilation

Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is preferentially performed at home. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the feasibility of an overnight gas exchange recording at home and to compare recordings performed in the hospital and at home. Twenty-nine pairs of overnight gas exchange recordings during NPPV were performed at home and in the hospital in 11 children with neuromuscular disease and 13 children with other disorders treated with long-term NPPV. No technical problem occurred during the recordings performed at home and one pulse oximetry (SpO(2)) recording failed in the hospital. For the two groups, SpO(2) and transcutaneous carbon dioxide (PtcCO(2)) values did not differ significantly between the hospital and the home. However, correlations between SpO(2) and PtcCO(2) values obtained in the hospital and at home were better for mean values than for minimal and maximal values, and in patients with other disorders as compared to patients with neuromuscular disease. Overnight gas exchange recordings with NPPV by a combined PtcCO(2) /SpO(2) monitor are feasible at home and show results comparable to hospital recordings. Home PtcCO(2) /SpO(2) recordings may be integrated in the care of children treated with domiciliary NPPV and are associated with less disruption of family life and decreased health care costs.