Plasma Krebs von den Lungen glycoprotein, lung injury, and noninvasive ventilation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE

There have been few reports of ventilator-induced lung injury associated with noninvasive ventilation (NIV), but many with invasive mechanical ventilation. The purpose of this study was to detect subclinical NIV-associated lung injury by monitoring Krebs von den Lungen glycoprotein plasma levels.

DESIGN

Forty-one Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients were divided into three categories: group 1, asymptomatic and not using ventilators; group 2, NIV use less than 24 hrs/day at full ventilatory support settings; and group 3, continuous NIV dependence. Plasma Krebs von den Lungen glycoprotein level was measured by electrochemical luminescent immunoassay using Krebs von den Lungen glycoprotein antibodies. One-way analysis of variance, followed by the Tukey-Kramer test, was used as appropriate to compare intergroup differences.

RESULTS

Extent of ventilator dependence correlated with age (P < 0.05). Intergroup plasma Krebs von den Lungen glycoprotein levels were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

NIV used at volumes and pressures of full (invasive) ventilatory support may not induce the alveolar septal barrier injury commonly seen with invasive mechanical ventilation.