To assess the impact of inspiratory pressure levels in non invasive ventilation in COPD

Aim: to compare the use of low intensity non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (li-nppv) with high intensity non- invasive positive pressure ventilation (hi-nppv),during night and compared their effect on night sleep and physiological parameters such as blood gases and lung functions. methods: pressure limited nppv in assist control mode together with supplemented oxygen was used in all patients. results: twenty patients were studied and it showed patients well tolerate d. hi-nppv and also improved important physiological parameters such as arteral blood gases and lung functions. conclusion: in patients with copd high respiratory pressures used with hi-nppv produce acceptable sleep quality that is no worse than that produced by low inspiratory pressures which are more traditionally applied in conjunction with li-nppv. in addition higher pressures are more successful in maintaining sufficient alveolar ventilation compared with low pressures,it is also capable of improving arterial blood gases and lung functions. thus hi-nppv is very promising and should be used instead of li-nppv.