Table 2 Clinical aspects of Non-Invasive Ventilation in Interstitial Lung Diseases
Problem | Tip for solution |
|---|---|
High pressures required to obtain ideal tidal volume in fibrotic lung with risk of pneumothorax | - Tolerate low tidal volumes with higher respiratory rate to obtain acceptable minute ventilation - Low to moderate PEEP levels to avoid overdistension of “healthy” lung units |
High respiratory rate that hampers patient-ventilator adaptation | - Titrate drugs to control respiratory rate, e.g. opiates (morphine or fentanyl)§ |
Intense breathlessness reported by patients especially in the acute phase | - Titrate drugs to control respiratory rate, e.g. opiates (morphine or fentanyl)§ - Rapid inspiratory curve - Increase FIO2 |