THE INTRAPULMONARY PERCUSSIVE VENTILATOR AND FLUTTER DEVICE COMPARED TO STANDARD CHEST PHYSIOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC-FIBROSIS

Stasis of viscid secretions in cystic fibrosis (CF) leads to chronic i nfection, inflammation, and lung destruction, Chest physiotherapy (CPT ) has been used for many years to assist in the removal of these secre tions. However, the need for independently administered CPT exists, pa rticularly for adolescents and the older CF patient. Two devices, the intrapulmonary percussive ventilator (IPV) and the Flutter device (Flu tter) have been promoted for this purpose. This study compares these d evices to standard, manual CPT, There was rn difference in sputum quan tity, produced with any method studied. Transiently lower oxygen satur ation was noted with standard CPT compared with the IPV and Flutter. I nconsistent but significant improvements in flow rates were noted with the two devices compared to standard CPT, Important trends to lower l ung volumes, probably indicating decreased air trapping, were also not ed with all three therapies at 1 and 4 hours after administration. The re were no adverse effects with any treatment regimen. Larger and long er studies of these devices compared to standard CPT and with each oth er are warranted to assess their value for independent administration of CPT in CF patients and to determine long-term effects on maintenanc e of pulmonary function.