Related Experiment Videos
[Intermittent self-ventilation in neuromuscular diseases. Comparison of lung function parameters in ventilated and
M R Schulz1, M Wiebel, V Schulz
1Thoraxklinik Heidelberg-Rohrbach, Abteilung Innere Medizin-Pneumologie, Heidelberg.
Background:
Based on neuromuscular-disease patients in our case, we investigate the possibility of elaborating criteria by which to judge when home intermittent mechanical ventilation should be commenced and to access its consequences over an extended period.
Patients And Methods:
Out of 24 patients with neuromuscular diseases (6 female, 18 male, mean age 32 years), 14 were treated with IPPV. They were suffering from hypercapnic respiratory failure with heavy sleep disruption and corresponding daily symptoms.
Results:
The aim was to calculate significant examination parameters to facilitate indication for IPPV. The clinical situation of patients dependent on respiratory support improved under IPPV. We witnessed a "ventilation-saving effect" and--despite progression of the basic disease within the monitoring period--no deterioration of the blood-gas situation.
Conclusions:
It is possible to elaborate criteria for the indication of IPPV based on our group of neuromuscular-disease patients.