Performance of different interfaces for noninvasive ventilation (NPPV) in a lung model simulating a COPD patient

Abstract

Noninvasive ventilation (NPPV) is frequently used in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The aim of this study is to compare the performance of three NPPV interfaces in terms of patient-ventilator synchrony. We used a lung simulator attachedto a mannequin head to simulate a COPD patient on NPPV. Three interfaces with inner volumes of 366, 550 and 1500 mL were tested. Results showed that the interface with larger inner volume had higher air leakage, while smaller inner volume interfaces had better synchrony with the simulator, with shorter trigger delay (131 e 128ms vs 153ms) and faster flow acceleration (138 e 143ms vs 161ms). We conclude that the type of interface used for NPPV has an impact on synchrony, and the choice of the interface may be based on the need to or unload respiratory muscles.