[Noninvasive self-ventilation--successful transition aid in the waiting period before lung transplantation?]

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is used with success for ventilatory failure due to derangements of the respiratory pump. Efficacy in pulmonary diseases is controversial. Still non-invasive intermittent ventilation is reported as a mean of bridging the period till lung transplantation can be performed.

We report of 20 patients from 5 centers who were treated with non-invasive intermittent ventilation while lung transplantation was planned.

Non-invasive intermittent ventilation was seen as successful in 14 patients. Of these 4 are transplanted after up to 2 years, 4 are still waiting, 2 have not yet entered a lung transplantation program, 1 continued non-invasive intermittent ventilation after refusal to be enlisted, 3 meanwhile died. In the group of non-successful non-invasive intermittent ventilation 2 patients were transplanted after a short waiting period. All remaining 4 patients died. It seems that non-invasive intermittent ventilation may be helpful in prolonging the period of survival while waiting for lung transplantation.