[Epidemiology and diagnosis of intermittent self-ventilation]

The purpose of the lung is intrapulmonary gas exchange. The circulatory system delivers the respiratory gases to the tissue. The ventilatory pump however is responsible for the circulation of air between the lungs and the ambient atmosphere. Due to better diffusing capabilities, hypercapnia always is a result of pump failure and little dependent on the lung. Ventilatory failure, either compensated with an increased demand on the muscles or decompensated with an additional increase in pCO2, should be separated from lung failure where primarily oxygen exchange is involved. Decompensated hypercapnic ventilatory failure is then the indication for intermittent mechanical ventilation. The pCO2, either arterial or transcutaneously registered together with the noninvasive evaluation of the mouth occlusion pressures during tidal breathing and during a maximal inspiratory effort, define well the severity of ventilatory failure. In acute on chronic ventilatory failure, noninvasive mechanical ventilation in three randomised and controlled studies resulted in a better survival compared to intubation. To fulfil certain weaning criteria is no longer required in difficult to wean patients, as a transfer from invasive to noninvasive mechanical ventilation can be performed if only cooperativity is preserved together with a minimal capacity of spontaneous breathing. Weaning will thereafter occur by progressive relief from intermittent noninvasive ventilation. 2300 difficult to wean patients in Germany should profit from this approach. Chronic ventilatory failure as a result of neuromuscular disease or scoliosis of the thoracic spine are the classical indications. COPD and myasthenia gravis are under discussion as indications for intermittent mechanical ventilation with an increasing tendency to ventilate. Epidemiological data however can only be roughly estimated due to the heterogeneity of indication and selection of the patients.