Noninvasive ventilatory support in morbid obesity

In the conventional management of the morbidly obese that normalizes the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), CO2 levels often remain elevated.

A retrospective review of morbidly obese patients using volume preset settings up to 1800ml to positive inspiratory pressures (PIPs) of 25-55cm H2O, or pressure control at 25-50cm H2O pressure via noninvasive interfaces up to continuously (CNVS).

Twenty-six patients, mean 55.6±14.8 years of age, weight 108-229kg, mean BMI 56.1 (35.5-77)kg/m², mean AHI 69.0±24.9, depended on up to CNVS for 3 weeks to up to 66 years. There were eleven extubations and seven decannulations to CNVS despite failure to pass spontaneous breathing trials. Thirteen were CNVS dependent for 92.2 patient-years with little to no ventilator free breathing ability (VFBA). Six used NVS from 10 to 23h a day, and others only for sleep. Fifteen patients with cough peak flows (CPF) less than 270L/m had access to mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MIE) in the peri-extubation/decannulation period and long-term. The daytime end-tidal (Et)CO2 of 14 who were placed on sleep NVS without extubation or decannulation to it decreased from mean EtCO2 61.0±9.3-38.5±3.6mm Hg and AHI normalized to 2.2. Blood gas levels were normal while using NVS/CNVS. Pre-intubation PaCO2 levels, when measured, were as high as 183mm Hg before extubation to CNVS.

Ventilator unweanable morbidly obese patients can be safely extubated/decannulated and maintained indefinitely using up to CNVS rather than resort to tracheotomies.