Effect of a Ventilatory Assist Device in Addition to Supplemental Oxygen on Exercise Endurance in Subjects With COPD.

Background: This study assessed the clinical effects of a ventilatory assist (VA) device in addition to supplemental O (VA+O) on exercise endurance in subjects with severe to very severe COPD managed with long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT).

Methods: This was a crossover clinical feasibility study of the effects of VA+O in subjects with severe to very severe COPD managed with LTOT ( 15). At visit 1, physiologic measures were obtained, and subjects were tested on the cycle ergometer with VA.