Noninvasive mechanical ventilation improves endurance performance in patients with chronic respiratory failure due to thoracic restriction.
OBJECTIVE
Treatment with noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NMV) alleviates hypoventilation and improves gas exchange in patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF) due to thoracic restriction. However, little is known about the effects of NMV on respiratory and peripheral muscle endurance.


METHODS
Prospective case-control study.


METHODS
Ten patients in clinically stable condition (age, 53.5 +/- 8.2 years [mean +/- SD]) with mild-to-moderate CRF due to thoracic restriction (PCO(2) between 45 mm Hg and 55 mm Hg) were treated with NMV during the night for 3 months. Ten matched patients (age, 52.2 +/- 9.5 years) receiving 3 months of normal care without NMV served as a control group.


METHODS
After a 3-day period of familiarization with the endurance tests, all patients performed a baseline preintervention inspiratory threshold loading test, cycle ergometer test, and shuttle walking test on the same day. The endurance tests were then repeated following the 3-month intervention period.


RESULTS
NMV was used on average for 7.1 +/- 0.9 h/d during the 3-month period. There was a significant improvement in endurance time (p < 0.0001) in all three endurance tests in the NMV group compared with the control group. In the NMV group, endurance time increased by 278 +/- 269% during the inspiratory threshold loading test, by 176 +/- 159% during the cycle ergometer test, and by 32 +/- 22% during the shuttle walking test. Significant improvements (p < 0.01) in both PO(2) and PCO(2) were also observed in the NMV group but not in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Three months of treatment with NMV increases both respiratory and peripheral muscle endurance in patients with CRF due to thoracic restriction.
Schonhofer
B
B
Krankenhaus Kloster Grafschaft, Zentrum für Pneumologie, Beatmungs- und Schlafmedizin, D-57392 Schmallenberg-Grafschaft, Germany. Bernd.Schoenhofer@t-online.de
Wallstein
S
S
Wiese
C
C
Kohler
D
D
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000150:complications; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications