Clinical Research Directory

How Nocturnal Hypoventilation Predicts Long-term Response to Non-invasive Ventilation in Hypercapnic COPD Patients

The study is an observational, single-center, prospective cohort study aiming to evaluate respiratory mechanics data, as well as clinical and functional parameters commonly used in clinical practice in patients with COPD and hypercapnic respiratory failure. The study population consists of patients with COPD and hypercapnia requiring NIV. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the association between the reduction in partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO₂) levels at 6 and 12 months after initiating non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and the presence of nocturnal hypoventilation detected at baseline in patients with COPD and chronic hypercapnia. Secondary objectives of this study are the evaluation of the following parameters measured at baseline and/or after 6 and 12 months of NIV treatment in patients with COPD and chronic hypercapnia: * Magnitude of esophageal pressure swing during nocturnal monitoring. * Diaphragm thickness and diaphragmatic thickening fraction assessed by thoracic ultrasound. * Presence of overlap syndrome (COPD + OSA). * Radiological classification of COPD subtypes to assess the association between radiological findings, functional profile, severity of nocturnal hypoventilation, and patterns of chronic hypercapnia. * Respiratory functional parameters, including FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC ratio, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO), and airway resistance (R5 and R20). * Frequency of severe exacerbations and subsequent rehospitalizations during follow-up. * Rate of compliance with respiratory treatment.

Survey on NIV Settings in the Intensive Care Unit for Acute Exacerbation of COPD

Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common condition and the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. With the rise of non-invasive ventilation (NIV), mortality among patients admitted for acute hypercapnic respiratory failure has decreased, though to a lesser extent than reported in the studies that validated this technique. We hypothesize that inappropriate initial ventilatory parameter settings for NIV could be associated with increased morbidity and mortality in this context. Objective The primary objective of this study is to assess the initial NIV settings used in intensive care units (ICUs) and respiratory intensive care or medical intensive care units (MICUs) in this patient population. A secondary objective is to evaluate whether specific ventilatory settings are associated with mortality or the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Methods This is a prospective multicenter observational study aiming to include 976 patients. NIV settings will be recorded at initiation, after the first recommended arterial blood gas (ABG) evaluation (between 1.5 and 2 hours of ventilation), and at 24 and 48 hours. Patient characteristics, including medical history, clinical and biological parameters at admission, will be collected. Vital status and the need for IMV will be recorded at ICU discharge and on day 28 (D28).