Detection of Expiratory Flow Limitation by Forced Oscillations during Noninvasive Ventilation

A study to validate sensitivity and specificity inspiratory and expiratory reactance for the identification of flow-limited breaths in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is presented. Here, detection of expiratory flow limitation by forced oscillations during noninvasive ventilation, is discussed. COPD patients receiving noninvasive ventilation (NIV), an external positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is used to counteract the intrinsic PEEP (PEEPi) and is associated with tidal expiratory flow elimination (EFLt). The possibility of assessing the presence of EFLT at the bedside during NIV may provide useful information for tailoring PEEP to individual patients. Furthermore, an overview on the results of the studies in COPD patients, is also provided.