Home invasive mechanical ventilation in Finland in 2015-2019.

Introduction: The prevalence of long-term invasive mechanical ventilation tracheostomy in chronic respiratory insufficiency is largely unknown. We aimed to clarify prevalence and aetiology of the use of home invasive mechanical ventilation (HIMV) in Finland in 2015-2019.

Methods: Information on HIMV patients was collected yearly from all Finnish Hospital District patient registries between 1 January 2015 and 1 January 2019.

Prevalence of life-supporting prolonged invasive ventilation support in Finland.

Background: There is no comprehensive data in our country on the prevalence of life-supporting prolonged invasive ventilation support. The objective of the survey was to clarify in all hospital districts of continental Finland the prevalence of patients who were dependent on invasive ventilation support, and the disease leading to the treatment.

Patients And Methods: The KOTIVEHNO 2015 survey was carried out as population-based cross-sectional study by sending a questionnaire to all doctors in charge of prolonged invasive ventilation support.

[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and respiratory insufficiency].

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease causing degeneration of motor neurons, without any curative treatment. The most common cause of death is respiratory arrest due to atrophy of the respiratory musculature. ALS-associated respiratory insufficiency differs in mechanism from the more common causes of dyspnea, such as diseases of pulmonary or cardiac origin.

Is the effect of non-invasive ventilation on survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis age-dependent?

Background: Hypoventilation due to respiratory muscle atrophy is the most common cause of death as a result of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Patients aged over 65 years and presenting bulbar symptoms are likely to have a poorer prognosis. The aim of the study was to assess the possible impact of age and treatment with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) on survival in ALS.

Using respiratory rate and thoracic movement to assess respiratory insufficiency in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a preliminary study.

Background: Hypoventilation due to respiratory insufficiency is the most common cause of death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and non-invasive ventilation (NIV) can be used as a palliative treatment. The current guidelines recommend performing spirometry, and recording nocturnal oxyhemoglobin saturation and arterial blood gas analysis to assess the severity of the hypoventilation. We examined whether the respiratory rate and thoracic movement were reliable preliminary clinical signs in the development of respiratory insufficiency in patients with ALS.

Validation of indirect calorimetry for measurement of energy expenditure in healthy volunteers undergoing pressure controlled non-invasive ventilation support.

The aim of this validation study was to assess the reliability of gas exchange measurement with indirect calorimetry among subjects who undergo non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) were measured in twelve healthy volunteers. Respiratory quotient (RQ) and resting energy expenditure (REE) were then calculated from the measured VO2 and VCO2 values.

Predictive equations over-estimate the resting energy expenditure in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients who are dependent on invasive ventilation support.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a form of degenerative motor neuron disease. At the end stage of the disease artificial feeding is often required. Nevertheless, very little is known about the energy demand of those ALS patients who are chronically dependent on tracheostomy intermittent positive pressure ventilation.