Walking with Non-Invasive Ventilation Does Not Prevent Exercise-Induced Hypoxaemia in Stable Hypercapnic COPD Patients

AbstractBackground: Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in addition to supplemental oxygen improves arterial oxygenation, walking distance and dyspnea when applied during exercise in stable hypercapnic COPD patients. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether NPPV without supplemental oxygen is capable of preventing severe exercise-induced hypoxemia in these patients when applied during walking. Methods and Results: 15 stable hypercapnic COPD patients (FEV1 29.9 ± 15.9%) performed two 6-minute walk tests (6MWT) with a rollator in a randomized cross-over design: using either supplemental oxygen(2.4 ± 0.7 L/min) or NPPV (inspiratory/expiratory positive airway pressure of 28.2 ± 2.8 / 5.5 ± 1.5 mbar) without supplemental oxygen. Results: 10 patients were able to complete both 6MWT. 6MWT with supplemental oxygen resulted in no changes for PO2 (pre: 67.3 ± 11.2 mmHg vs. post: 65.6 ± 12.0 mmHg, p = 0.72) whereas PCO2 increased (pre: 50.9 ± 8.1 mmHg vs. post: 54.3 ± 10.0 mmHg (p < 0.03...