Nasal High-flow versus non-invasive ventilation in stable hypercapnic COPD: a preliminary report.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:There are no data available about effectiveness of Nasal High-flow (NHF)in chronic respiratory insufficiency. METHODS:Eleven COPD patients with stable hypercapnia were adjusted to NHF-system with a flow of 20 l/min. After six weeks patients were switched to non-invasive ventilation (NIV) for another six weeks period. RESULTS:NHF led to significant decreases in resting pCO2. Between the devices we found no differences in pCO2 levels. CONCLUSIONS:NHF may thus be an alternative treatment device in stable hypercapnic COPD patients.

SUBMITTER: Braunlich J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4559207 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature