Pneumologie
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[Hypercapnic failure in patients with COPD under 4 weeks non-invasive, home mechanical ventilation].
In patients with severe COPD, ventilatory pump failure is a separate pathophysiological factor. Non-invasive ventilatory support has been introduced in COPD with acute-on-chronic respiratory failure according to evidence-based medicine, but the benefit of long-term ventilation is still not proven. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the feasibility of carbon dioxide-reducing, non-invasive, home mechanical ventilation in patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure due to stable COPD. ⋯ Although this investigation has some limitations such as lack of controls and highly selected patients, it could be proven that CO (2)-decreasing, non-invasive mechanical ventilation is feasible in terms of home therapy and effective to recompensate chronic ventilatory failure in stable COPD. Under such treatment, patients can reestablish their physical ability and report quality of life improvements.
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Many patients with neuromuscular diseases suffer from a weak cough. Due to infection or aspiration a life-threatening situation may occur. There are different options for the therapists to improve secretion clearance from the airways in the patient with a weak cough. Furthermore, there are indications that consequent practice of techniques to ameliorate bronchial clearance may also improve the prognosis of patients with neuromuscular diseases. ⋯ The early diagnosis of a weak cough in NMD patients is important for the timely start of existing and effective measures for improving the capacity of elimination of secretions--air stacking, manually assisted cough and mechanically assisted cough. Although there is no high degree of evidence, we believe that morbidity and possibly mortality can be affected in a positive manner.
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The electromechanical insufflator-exsufflator (Emerson CoughAssist) was developed as an aid for patients with neuromuscular disorders suffering from impaired cough. The insufflator-exsufflator simulates and supports physiological cough by supporting inspiration with positive pressure and shifting this positive pressure rapidly into a negative pressure that supports exsufflation and thus bronchial clearance. Maximum pressures are +/- 60 cm H2O, pressures between 30 and 50 cm H2O are sufficient to produce assisted cough in adults with neuromuscular disease. ⋯ An anaesthetic facemask is used as interface, alternatively, a mouthpiece can be used in combination with a nose strap. It is also possible to use the insufflator-exsufflator in patients with tracheostomy. We present in this article detailed information about the technical principles and practical use of the electromechanical insufflator-exsufflator.
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The use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) to improve physical activity in COPD patients has been addressed in several clinical investigations in the past. In general, NIV can be applied directly during exercise, but also intermittently when used for long-term treatment thereby aiming at improving physical activity during spontaneous breathing. There is increasing evidence that NIV enhances exercise capacity in COPD patients with a reduction of exercise-induced dyspnea when applied during exertion. ⋯ Therefore, it is still unclear how to define the best technique for NIV to be used in order to enhance exercise capability in COPD patients. Future studies are needed to define which subgroup of patients benefit from NIV in view of its effects on exercise. Further studies should also be aimed at clarifying which mode and which ventilator settings are most beneficial in improving exercise capability in COPD patients.