Behavior of home ventilators using two different conditions of airway obstruction

INTRODUCTION: Non-invasive ventilation adaptation is usually made in hospital and when patients are managed at home could be possible the change of the device. AIM: To demonstrate if there are differences between models of ventilator devices in volumes and FiO2 with two different conditions of airway obstruction. METHODS: Prospective, quasi-experimental. Devices: BiPAP AVAPS, BiPAP Harmony ST, BiPAP Synchrony ST, iSleep 25, VPAP ST III and Good Knight 460. The testator: Fluke VT PLUS HF gas Flow Analyzer) was connected to an artificial lung with two-grades of airway resistance (Raw: 20 and 50 cmH2O/L/s), and a fixed compliance (50 ml/cmH2O). All the ventilators had a similar programmation (Mode: S/T; IPAP: 15 cmH2O, EPAP: 5 cmH2O, RR: 14 bpm, IT: 1,2 s, Rt: 2). Parameters assessed and tested: IPAP, EPAP, RR and others if it was possible (Tidal volume,Minute volume). Fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2):measured in two different localizations. RESULTS: Whereas the obstruction increased, the ventilation volumes tended to decrease. The reported volumes were less than informed for an exact testator. There were differences in FiO2 when the airway resistance was increased. A statistically significant difference was found comparing the FiO2 obtained in both oxygen localizations with a Raw of 50 cmH2O/L/s. CONCLUSION: For home ventilation treatment is recommended to indicate the same device employed in hospital adaptation.