[Long-term effects and life expectancy after six years intermittent self ventilation].

PATIENTS AND METHODS

381 patients were treated by intermittent ventilation for up to 6 years, when ventilatory failure and symptoms persisted despite efficient medical treatment. Patients with chest wall disorders (COPD) were in hospital for 19 +/- 10 (21 +/- 14) days during the first and for 6 +/- 10 (14 +/- 12) days in the following years.

RESULTS

Survival was found above 95% in chest wall disorders. In COPD survival ranged 75% in the 2nd and 59% in the 4th years.

CONCLUSION

Intermittent mechanical ventilation, therefore, can restore hypercapnic ventilatory failure to normal. Survival is improve similar to a control group without ventilatory failure.