Nasal positive pressure ventilation in COPD

Abstract

Long-term oxygen therapy improves survival in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), though the addition of assisted ventilation may control the nocturnal hypoventilation and correct blood gases. Although early experiences with ventilation in COPD was disappointing, the introduction of nasal positive pressure ventilation has been shown to improve blood gases, sleep quality and quality of life. The improvement in blood gases was related to the reduction of overnight Pa,CO2 with ventilation. Compliance with nasal ventilation was increased, compared to that with earlier modes of ventilation. Nasal ventilation is beneficial in carefully selected patients with hypercapnic COPD.