[Intermittent nasal positive pressure ventilation with a ventilator in accordance with the Medical Device Regulation III (MedGV III). Clinical experiences with the BREAS PV 201 in 19 patients].

Unlabelled: During the period from January to September 1995, 19 patients suffering from ventilatory insufficiency were adjusted to nocturnal nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (nIPP) therapy with a new ventilatory apparatus conforming to German regulations governing medical equipment (MedGV III). This equipment had not been available previously. 5 patients were suffering from obstructive ventilatory disorder, 5 patients from an underlying neurological disease and 3 patients from thoracic restriction. In 6 patients the reason for their ventilatory disorder was obesity hypoventilation or disorder of central ventilatory regulation. The average age was 54 years (15-73 years). Whereas 14 patients were suffering from global respiratory insufficiency already during the day, the others had marked respiratory disorder only at night. In all cases ventilation was carried out during the whole night.

Results: nIPPV achieved normoxia in all patients whereas in 10 patients hypercapnia was not completely eliminated. In all cases, however, the previously elevated pCO2 could be reduced. Hence, sufficient nIPPV can be achieved also with a respirator complying with the new German MedGV III regulations.