title: Comparison of two humidification systems for long-term noninvasive mechanical ventilation.
abstract: There is no consensus concerning the best system of humidification during long-term noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV). In a technical pilot randomised crossover 12-month study, 16 patients with stable chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure received either heated humidification or heat and moisture exchanger. Compliance with long-term NIMV, airway symptoms, side-effects and number of severe acute pulmonary exacerbations requiring hospitalisation were recorded. Two patients died. Intention-to-treat statistical analysis was performed on 14 patients. No significant differences were observed in compliance with long-term NIMV, but 10 out of 14 patients decided to continue long-term NIMV with heated humidification at the end of the trial. The incidence of side-effects, except for dry throat (significantly more often present using heat and moisture exchanger), hospitalisations and pneumonia were not significantly different. In the present pilot study, the use heated humidification and heat and moisture exchanger showed similar tolerance and side-effects, but a higher number of patients decided to continue long-term noninvasive mechanical ventilation with heated humidification. Further larger studies are required in order to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Unit, Fondazione S.Maugeri, Via Maugeri n.10, 27100 Pavia, Italy. stefano.nava@fsm.it
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nava
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cirio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fanfulla
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carlucci
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Navarra
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ceriana
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical