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Thorax 55:417-423 doi:10.1136/thorax.55.5.417
  • Occasional review

Rationale for the use of non-invasive ventilation in chronic ventilatory failure

Table 1

Load, drive, and capacity in the various conditions treated with non-invasive ventilation (NIV)

Load Drive Capacity
NMD Increased:
•  due to atelectasis
•  upper airway resistance in some conditions due to bulbar weakness
No abnormality Reduced:
•  intrinsic weakness of respiratory muscles
CWD Increased:
•  reduced chest wall compliance •  reduced lung compliance
No abnormality Reduced:
•  mechanical disadvantage
COPD Increased:
•  airways obstruction •  intrinsic PEEP
No abnormality Reduced:
•  mechanical disadvantage secondary to hyperinflation
Central hypoventilation No abnormality Markedly reduced No abnormality
  • NMD = neuromuscular disease; CWD = chest wall deformity; COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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