Effects of heated and humidified high flow gases during high-intensity constant-load exercise on severe COPD patients with ventilatory limitation

High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was shown to washout the anatomical dead space, permitting a higher fraction of minute ventilation to participate in gas pulmonary exchanges. Moreover, it is able to guarantee the desired inhaled oxygen fraction (FiO2) even at high level of patient's minute ventilation by minimizing the room air entrainment. The effect of HFNC has never been investigated on stable severe COPD patients in term of endurance capacity with standardised laboratory tests.

Source: Respiratory Medicine CME - August 7, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Serena Cirio, Manuela Piran, Michele Vitacca, Giancarlo Piaggi, Piero Ceriana, Matteo Prazzoli, Mara Paneroni, Annalisa Carlucci Source Type: research