Cardiopulmonary exercise testing versus pulmonary function test in the assessment of respiratory impairment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Introduction: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a non-invasive method for the determination of disability and comprehensive evaluation of exercise responses involving the cardiovascular, pulmonary and musculoskeletal systems.

Material And Methods: To assess exercise performance measured by CPET in different chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) stages and to compare between pulmonary function test (PFT) and CPET in assessing the degree of respiratory impairment. Sixty patients diagnosed with COPD were enrolled in the study.

Intelligent volume assured pressure support (iVAPS) vs. spontaneous/timed mode as a weaning strategy for intubated COPD patients with acute exacerbation.

Introduction: Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) is applied to facilitate weaning process and decrease complications associated with prolonged intubation. Interest has emerged in using Intelligent Volume Assured Pressure Support (iVAPS) to facilitate earlier removal of an endotracheal tube.

Material And Methods: This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of iVAPS versus standard Spontaneous/timed (S/T) mode in facilitating weaning process of mechanically ventilated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in acute exacerbation.