[The home treatment of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease with intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) (author's transl)].

The inhalation therapy assisted by IPPB has been well established as the standard programme of intensive care units for many years. The use of inhalation by assisted ventilation at home is difficult because 4-6 applications daily are necessary to reach a suitable effect. This form of treatment has to perform at patient's home and an apparatus has to put ready for these patients. Our investigations pursued the aim to prove the effectiveness by means of objective parameters. The home treatment was carried on 32 patients with respiratory insufficiency over a period of and average of 51 months. This group was controlled after 2 years. Lung function tests and blood gas analysis showed a tiny but not significant deterioration. We were able to demonstrate that the hospitalization rate can be lowered, the bronchitis symptoms and respiratory decompensation reduced, and well-being significantly improved. This results have led to the conclusion that this treatment obviously influence the follow-up of the respiratory insufficiency.