NOCTURNAL VENTILATORY SUPPORT IN PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC-FIBROSIS - COMPARISON WITH SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN

Progressive deterioration of lung function in cystic fibrosis (CF) pat ients may lead to significant hypoxaemia and hypercapnia, especially d uring sleep. The effects of bilevel noninvasive positive pressure nasa l mask ventilation (NIPPV) on respiration and sleep were compared to t hose of low-flow oxygen therapy in six CF patients (mean+/-SD age 22.3 +/-4.7 yrs, with severe lung disease (forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 29.4+/-3.4% predicted). Compared to the control night, N IPPV and oxygen therapy significantly improved overall night-time oxyg en saturation during both rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye m ovement (NREM) sleep stages. However, significant increases in transcu taneous CO2 tension occurred during oxygen therapy, while NIPPV marked ly improved alveolar ventilation during all sleep states, Sleep archit ecture and arousals remained unchanged during NIPPV and oxygen therapy treatment nights. We conclude that noninvasive positive pressure vent ilation improves sleep-related hypoxaemia and hypercapnia in severe cy stic fibrosis patients without affecting sleep, The long-term complian ce and benefits of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation remain un clear.