Physiological effects of flow and pressure triggering during non- invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: The effect of the type of trigger system on inspiratory effort has been studied in intubated patients, but no data are available in non-invasive mechanical ventilation where the "trigger variable" may be even more important since assisted modes of ventilation are often employed from the beginning of mechanical ventilation. METHODS: The effect of flow triggering (1 and 5 1/min) and pressure triggering (-1 cm H2O) on inspiratory effort during pressure support ventilation (PSV) and assisted controlled mode (A/C) delivered non-invasively with a full face mask were compared in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) recovering from an acute exacerbation. The patients were studied during randomised 15 minute runs at zero positive end expiratory pressure (ZEEP). The oesophageal pressure time product (PTPoes), dynamic intrinsic PEEP (PEEPi,dyn), fall in maximal airway pressure (delta Paw) during inspiration, and ventilatory variables were measured. RESULTS: Minute ventilation, respiratory pattern, dynamic lung compliance and resistances, and changes in end expiratory lung volume (delta EELV) were the same with the two triggering systems. The total PTPoes and its pre-triggering phase (PTP due to PEEPi and PTP due to valve opening) were significantly higher during both PSV and A/C with pressure triggering than with flow triggering at both levels of sensitivity. delta Paw was larger during pressure triggering, and PEEPi,dyn was significantly reduced during flow triggering in the A/C mode only. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COPD flow triggering reduces the inspiratory effort during both PSV and A/C modes compared with pressure triggering. These findings are likely to be due to a reduction in PEEPi,dyn and in the time of valve opening with a flow trigger.


     

Haemodynamic effects of pressure support and PEEP ventilation by nasal route in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND--Intermittent positive pressure ventilation applied through a nasal mask has been shown to be useful in the treatment of chronic respiratory insufficiency. Pressure support ventilation is an assisted mode of ventilation which is being increasingly used. Invasive ventilation with intermittent positive pressure, with or without positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), has been found to affect venous return and cardiac output. This study evaluated the acute haemodynamic support ventilation by nasal mask, with and without the application of PEEP, in patients with severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypercapnia. METHODS--Nine patients with severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease performed sessions lasting 10 minutes each of pressure support ventilation by nasal mask while undergoing right heart catheterisation for clinical evaluation. In random order, four sessions of nasal pressure support ventilation were applied consisting of: (1) peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) 10 cm H2O, PEEP 0 cm H2O; (2) PIP 10 cm H2O, PEEP 5 cm H2O; (3) PIP 20 cm H2O, PEEP 0 cm H2O; (4) PIP 20 cm H2O, PEEP 5 cm H2O. RESULTS--Significant increases in arterial oxygen tension (Pao2) and saturation (Sao2) and significant reductions in arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) and changes in pH were observed with a PIP of 20 cm H2O. Statistical analysis showed that the addition of 5 cm H2O PEEP did not further improve arterial blood gas tensions. Comparison of baseline values with measurements performed after 10 minutes of each session of ventilation showed that all modes of ventilation except PIP 10 cm H2O without PEEP induced a small but significant increase in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. In comparison with baseline values, a significant decrease in cardiac output and oxygen delivery was induced only by the addition of PEEP to both levels of PIP. CONCLUSIONS--In patients with severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypercapnia, pressure support ventilation with the addition of PEEP delivered by nasal mask may have short term acute haemodynamic effects in reducing oxygen delivery in spite of adequate levels of SaO2.     

比例辅助通气对撤机阶段慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并呼吸衰竭患者通气参数的影响

目的观察比例辅助通气（PAV）与压力支持通气（PSV）对撤机阶段慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）合并呼吸衰竭患者通气参数的影响。方法COPD合并呼吸衰竭患者15例,所有患者均为气管插管并接受机械通气支持1周以上者,在治疗过程中病情稳定准备撤机。随机选用PAV和不同水平的PSV[PSV水平为10cmH2O（PS10）和PSV水平为15cmH2O（PS15）,1cmH20=0．098kPa]辅助通气60min,应用PAV前采用最小平方拟合法（LSF）测定患者的呼吸系统弹性阻力（Ers）和气道阻力（Rrs）,设置容量辅助（VA）和流量辅助（FA）,辅助比例为80％。观察患者在不同通气条件下通气参数及动脉血气分析的变化。结果与低水平PSV（PS10）时相比,高水平PSV（PS15）与PAV时的潮气量显著增加[（443±12）ml与（532±34）ml、（464±23）ml,P〈0．05];PAV时的呼吸频率与气道峰压稍高于PS10时。但差异无统计学意义。PAV支持后,患者的气道闭合压由PS10时的（5．70±0．25）cmH2O降至（4．53±0．25）cmH2O（P〈0．05）,气道压力及吸气触发压力时间乘积也显著降低[由（0．42±0．04）cmH2O降至（0．32±0．03）cmH2O,P〈0．05];而氧合指数与动脉血二氧化碳分压均得到明显改善,与PS15时相近。PAV时的浅快呼吸指数较PS10时无明显改变。结论PAV通过采用正反馈调节机制,成比例地提供同步辅助,显著减少COPD呼吸衰竭患者的自主吸气做功,改善人机同步性。     

Long term effects of non-invasive mechanical ventilation on pulmonary haemodynamics in patients with chronic respiratory failure

BACKGROUND: It is not known whether long term nocturnal mechanical ventilation (NMV) reduces pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF). METHODS: Pulmonary haemodynamics, spirometric values, and gas exchange were studied in 33 patients requiring NMV due to CRF (20 with thoracic restriction, 13 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) at baseline and after 1 year of NMV given in the volume cycled mode. Patients with COPD also received supplemental oxygen. RESULTS: Long term NMV improved gas exchange while lung function remained unchanged. Mean pulmonary artery pressure at rest before NMV was higher in patients with thoracic restriction than in those with COPD (33 (10) mm Hg v 25 (6) mm Hg). After 1 year of NMV mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased in patients with thoracic restriction to 25 (6) mm Hg (mean change -8.5 mm Hg (95% CI -12.6 to -4.3), p<0.01) but did not change significantly in patients with COPD (mean change 2.2 mm Hg (95% CI -0.3 to 4.8)). CONCLUSIONS: Long term NMV in CRF improves pulmonary haemodynamics in patients with thoracic restriction but not in patients with COPD.     

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: correlates for success.

BACKGROUND--Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is increasingly used in the treatment of acute respiratory failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to identify simple parameters to predict the success of this technique. METHODS--Fifty nine episodes of acute respiratory failure in 47 patients with COPD treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation were analysed, considering each one as successful (78%) or unsuccessful (22%) according to survival and to the need for endotracheal intubation. RESULTS--Pneumonia was the cause of acute respiratory failure in 38% of the unsuccessful episodes but only in 9% of the successful ones. Success with non-invasive mechanical ventilation was associated with less severely abnormal baseline clinical and functional parameters, and with less severe levels of acidosis assessed during an initial trial of non-invasive mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS--The severity of the episode of acute respiratory failure as assessed by clinical and functional compromise, and the level of acidosis and hypercapnia during an initial trial of non-invasive mechanical ventilation, have an influence on the likelihood for success with non-invasive mechanical ventilation and may prove to be useful in deciding whether to continue with this treatment.     

右美托咪定与吗啡用于慢性阻塞性肺病患者机械通气时对呼吸力学影响的比较

目的研究右美托咪定（dexmedetomidine,DEx）和盐酸吗啡对慢性阻塞性肺病急性发作期（acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, AECOPD）行机械通气患者呼吸力学的影响。方法入选AECOPD伴呼吸衰竭行机械通气患者40例;在同样的分钟通气量和呼气末正压的设置下,采用随机对照的方法分为两组（对照组、试验组）,每组20例,对照组使用吗啡进行镇静治疗,实验组使用盐酸DEX。记录两组患者急性生理功能和慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ（acute physiology and chronic health evaluation, APACHE Ⅱ）评分、脑电双频指数（bispectral index,BIS）评分、Ramsay镇静评分等指标。比较两组患者镇静前后生命体征、血气的变化和镇静后呼吸力学参数的变化。结果与对照组比较,实验组中平均动脉压（mean arterial pressure,MAP）和脉搏[（80±3）mmHg比（75±4）mmHg（1mmHg=0．133kPa）和（90±3）次/min比（79±3）次/min]降低（P〈0．01）,平均气道压mean airway pressure,Paw）、平台压（plateau pressure,eplat）[（7．5±0．7）cm H2O比（6．2±0．6）cm H2O（1cmH2O=0．098kPa）、（19．8±1．7）cmH20比（18．0±1．1）cmH2O]明显降低（P〈0．01）,峰食道压力（peak esophageal pressure,PPEAKES）、PPEAKEE与基准食道压力差（the peak esophageal manometry reference esophagus pressure difference, dPEs）[（-3．4±0．7）cmH2O比（-5．4±1．0）cmH2O、（-6．9±1．0）cmH2O比（-9．8±1．3）cmH2O]变大（P〈0．01）,吸气末屏气期间的跨肺压（ folding Screen the end of the suction gas during transpulmonary pressure, Ptp Plat）、肺静态顺应性（pulmonary static compliance,cst）[（25．5±2．3）cmH2O比（26．0±2．6）cmH2O、（20．5±1．9）cmH2O比（20．1±1-2）cmH2O]变化无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,气道阻力（airway resistance,Raw）[（20．3±3．9）cmH2O·L-1·s-1比（15．6±1．4）cmH2O·L-1·s-1]变小（P〈0．01）,患者呼吸功（patient work of breathing,WOBp）[（0．11±0．02）j/L比（0．16±0．04）j／L]明显增加[1（P〈0．01）,机械呼吸功（mechanical work of breathing,WOBv）[（0．49±0．10）g/L比（0．43±0．06）j／L]明显降低（P〈0．05）。机械通气时间、重症监护室（ICU）入住时间[（76±5）h比（64±3）h、（6．0±1．5）d比（4．6±0．9）d]减少（P〈0．05）。结论与吗啡比较,DEX能提高机械通气患者的镇静效果、降低Raw、提高肺顺应性,有利于实施保护性通气策略,同时降低呼吸负荷和呼吸做功,因而能降低呼吸氧耗。     

盐酸戊乙奎醚对慢性阻塞性肺病病人呼吸力学参数的影响

目的研究应用盐酸戊乙奎醚对慢性阻塞性肺病(chronic obstructive pulmonary dis-ease,COPD)病人气管内插管应用呼吸机后呼吸力学参数的影响。方法COPD病人66例随机均分为两组:盐酸戊乙奎醚组(Ⅰ组):气管插管应用呼吸机前静注盐酸戊乙奎醚1mg;对照组(Ⅱ组):不给予任何支气管扩张药物。分别观察并监测气管内插管应用呼吸机后1、4和6h的呼吸力学参数(气道压力、气道阻力和胸肺顺应性)。结果Ⅰ组各个时间点的气道峰压、气道平台压以及气道阻力明显低于Ⅱ组(P<0.05),而胸肺顺应性明显高于Ⅱ组(P<0.05)。结论盐酸戊乙奎醚可明显降低COPD病人气管内插管后的气道压力和气道阻力,增加胸肺顺应性。     

Pre-operative optimisation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a condition commonly present in older people undergoing surgery and confers an increased risk of postoperative complications and mortality. Although predominantly a respiratory disease, it frequently has extra-pulmonary manifestations and typically occurs in the context of other long-term conditions. Patients experience a range of symptoms that affect their quality of life, functional ability and clinical outcomes. In this review, we discuss the evidence for techniques to optimise the care of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the peri-operative period, and address potential new interventions to improve outcomes. The article centres on pulmonary rehabilitation, widely available for the treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but less often used in a peri-operative setting. Current evidence is largely at high risk of bias, however. Before surgery it is important to ensure that what have been called the ‘five fundamentals’ of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment are achieved: smoking cessation; pulmonary rehabilitation; vaccination; self-management; and identification and optimisation of co-morbidities. Pharmacological treatment should also be optimised, and some patients may benefit from lung volume reduction surgery. Psychological and behavioural factors are important, but are currently poorly understood in the peri-operative period. Considerations of the risk and benefits of delaying surgery to ensure the recommended measures are delivered depends on patient characteristics and the nature and urgency of the planned intervention.     

Nocturnal saturation and respiratory muscle function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND--Nocturnal desaturations, mainly caused by hypoventilation, occur frequently in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Daytime arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions (PaO2 and PaCO2) appear to predict which patients will desaturate at night. It is unknown if respiratory muscle strength, which may be decreased in these patients, plays an additional part. METHODS--Polysomnography, maximal respiratory pressures, lung function, and arterial blood gas tensions were measured in 34 patients with COPD (mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 41.7 (19.9)% pred). RESULTS--Significant correlations were found between the mean nocturnal arterial oxygen saturation and maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (r = 0.65), maximal inspiratory transdiaphragmatic pressure (r = 0.53), FEV1 (r = 0.61), transfer coefficient (KCO) (r = 0.38), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) (r = 0.75), and PaCO2 (r = -0.44). Multiple regression analysis showed that 75% of the variance in nocturnal SaO2 (70%) and FEV1 (5%). CONCLUSION--Inspiratory muscle strength and nocturnal saturation data are correlated, but daytime SaO2 and FEV1 remain the most important predictors of nocturnal saturation.     

Physiological and radiological characterisation of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary care

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is common although often poorly characterised, particularly in primary care. However, application of guidelines to the management of such patients needs a clear understanding of the phenotype. In particular, the British guidelines for the management of COPD recommend that the diagnosis is based on appropriate symptoms and evidence of airflow obstruction as determined by a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) of <80% of the predicted value and an FEV(1)/VC ratio of <70%. METHODS: A study was undertaken of 110 patients aged 40-80 years who had presented to their general practitioner with an acute exacerbation of COPD. The episode was treated at home and, when patients had recovered to the stable state (two months later), they were characterised by full lung function tests and a high resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) scan of the chest. RESULTS: There was a wide range of impairment of FEV(1) which was in the normal range (>/=80%) in 30%, mildly impaired (60-79%) in 18%, moderately impaired (40-59%) in 33%, and severely impaired (<40%) in 19% of patients. A reduced FEV(1)/VC ratio was present in all patients with an FEV(1) of <80% predicted but also in 41% of those with an FEV(1) of >/=80% predicted. Only 5% of patients had a substantial bronchodilator response suggesting a diagnosis of asthma. Emphysema was present in 51% of patients and confined to the upper lobes in most (73% of these patients). HRCT evidence of bronchiectasis was noted in 29% of patients and was predominantly tubular; most (81%) were current or ex-smokers. A solitary pulmonary nodule was seen on 9% of scans and unsuspected lung malignancy was diagnosed in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that COPD in primary care is a heterogeneous condition. Some patients do not fulfil the proposed diagnostic criteria with FEV(1) of >/=80% predicted but they may nevertheless have airflow obstruction. Bronchiectasis is common in this group of patients, as is unsuspected malignancy. These findings should be considered when developing recommendations for the investigation and management of COPD in the community.     

慢性阻塞性肺病病人上腹部手术后鼻罩通气的应用

目的 探讨鼻罩通气在上腹部手术后的呼吸支持作用。方法 ５０例择其行上腹部手术病人,术前肺功能检查证实存在轻度中度阻塞性呼吸功能障碍,术后随机分成两组。（１）对照组：术后常规鼻导管吸氧;（２）鼻罩组：术后即开始以鼻罩行压力支持通气。观察两组病人术后通气功能及血气变化。结果 术后早期给予鼻罩通气,病人的氧合优于对照组,ＰａＣＯ２低于对照组,ＶＣ、ＦＥＶ１．０％及ＭＭＦ均明显高于对照组。结论 慢性阻塞肺     

Domiciliary nocturnal nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation in hypercapnic respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive lung disease: effects on sleep and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Domiciliary assisted ventilation, using negative or positive pressure devices, is an effective treatment for respiratory failure due to chest wall deformity and neuromuscular disease. Negative pressure ventilators have been used with some success in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease in hospital, but attempts to continue treatment at home have been disappointing. This study evaluates the practicalities of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation at home in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and the effect on sleep and quality of life. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and hypercapnic respiratory failure received nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation at home during sleep. At six months eight were continuing with the ventilation. One patient had died and three had withdrawn because they were unable to sleep with the equipment. Full polysomnography performed during ventilation in patients continuing treatment at six months showed an increase in mean PaO2 of 11% (+2% to +23%) and lower mean transcutaneous carbon dioxide tensions (by -2.7 (-1.3 to -5.1) kPa) overnight compared with spontaneous breathing before the start of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Total sleep time and sleep efficiency changed during ventilation by +72.5 (+21 to +204) minutes and +5% (-3% to +30%) respectively; sleep architecture and the number of arousals were unchanged. Quality of life did not change but was no worse during ventilation. At one year seven patients were still using the ventilator and PaCO2 and bicarbonate ion concentration during the day had improved further by comparison with the values at six months (change from baseline -1.7 (-2.1 to -0.6) kPa, p less than 0.05, and -6.3 (-11.9 to -4) mmol/l, p less than 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation can be used effectively at home during sleep in selected patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Its future place in management can be established only by formal comparison with long term oxygen therapy.     

Translaryngeal open ventilation to treat acute respiratory failure in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A preliminary report

PURPOSE: To describe a minimally invasive alternative to conventional mechanical ventilation, using a small size uncuffed nasotracheal tube (translaryngeal open ventilation) paired with pressure control ventilation, in acute respiratory failure complicating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Clinical features: Two cooperative COPD patients, who failed noninvasive mechanical ventilation, were intubated nasotracheally. Mechanical ventilation was initiated in pressure control mode via an uncuffed 6 mm tube. RESULTS: Respiratory rate improved after 1 hour (from 44 to 28 breaths*min(-1) in case 1 and from 32 to 25 breaths*min(-1) in case 2); PaC0(2) decreased (from 120 to 62 mmHg in case 1 and from 69 to 51 mmHg in case 2); with pressure control mode levels of 45 cm H(2)O and 55 cm H(2)O respectively. PaO(2) increased from 40 mmHg (with FIO(2) 0.3) to 55 mmHg (with FIO(2) 0.3) in the first patient and from 55 mmHg (with FIO(2) 0.4) to 60 mmHg (with FIO(2) 0.4 ) in the second patient; pH improved from 7.18 to 7.31 in case 1 and from 7.22 to 7.39 in case 2. Patients were able to trigger the ventilator, speak, swallow and to clear secretions spontaneously. Both patients were ventilated for three days in this manner without any adverse effects. Both survived and were discharged home after 20 and 18 days in hospital respectively. CONCLUSION: This very preliminary report suggests that, in carefully selected patients who fail mask ventilation, mechanical support with translaryngeal open ventilation can improve gas exchange, breathing pattern and tachypnea, without hindering glottic function.     

Comparison of the acute effects on gas exchange of nasal ventilation and doxapram in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is useful in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated by ventilatory failure. The effects of NIPPV were compared with those of the respiratory stimulant doxapram on gas exchange in patients with COPD and acute ventilatory failure. METHODS: Patients admitted with acute exacerbations of COPD and type 2 respiratory failure (Pao2 < 8 kPa and PaCO2 > 6.7 kPa) who did not improve with conventional treatment were randomised to receive either NIPPV or intravenous doxapram. Blood gas tensions were monitored for four hours. RESULTS: In nine patients who received NIPPV the arterial PaO2 improved from a mean (SE) of 5.9 (0.4) kPa to a maximum of 8.1 (0.6) kPa which was maintained at four hours. Eight patients who received doxapram had a similar baseline Pao2 of 5.6 (0.4) kPa which rose to a maximum of 7.3 (0.5) kPa but this was not maintained at four hours. The improvement in Pao2 in patients on NIPPV was accompanied by a fall in Paco2 but, in contrast, in those who received doxapram there was no improvement in Paco2. CONCLUSIONS: NIPPV may be more effective than doxapram in the management of acute ventilatory failure complicating COPD.     

Exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may incur exercise limitation by any one or combination of disturbances in breathing mechanics, oxygen transport, respiratory muscle metabolism or respiratory regulation and sensation. In spite of the increased ventilation demand/capacity ratio in these patients, the relationship between breathing mechanics, respiratory muscle fatigue, the adequacy of alveolar ventilation and the development of exertional dyspnoea is neither clearly defined nor predictable from data obtained with the patient at rest. The issue of oxygen transport during exercise has been complicated by confusion between arterial hypoxia and inadequate volume of oxygen transported to the tissues, which frequently may differ qualitatively and quantitatively. The cardiac output response to exercise in patients with COPD is therefore critical in determining oxygen transport. This response is also impossible to predict from resting lung mechanics, pulmonary arterial blood pressure, arterial oxygen tension or clinical disease profile. Without exercise testing, which includes measurement of all the variables mentioned, it is impossible to define clearly the cause of exercise-induced symptoms in patients with COPD. Exercise training with and without supplemental oxygen has been shown to improve exercise tolerance in these patients, but the precise mechanism of this improvement remains obscure.     

BiPAP无创机械通气治疗COPD合并慢性呼吸衰竭的疗效观察

目的:探讨鼻(面)罩无创双水平气道正压通气(BiPAP)慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并慢性呼吸衰竭的治疗作用.方法:入选病例23例,采用BiPAP 无创呼吸机治疗,同时使用常规治疗,对治疗前后病人心率、呼吸频率、血气分析比较.结果:治疗后患者心率、呼吸频率、血气分析的明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论:无创双水平气道正压机械通气辅助治疗COPD合并慢性呼衰具有肯定的疗效.     

Preoperative considerations for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a risk factor for development of intraoperative and postoperative pulmonary complications. Regarding the type and the extent of surgical procedure, patients with COPD are at risk of aggravation of pulmonary function which leads to complicated perioperative course. In order to reduce perioperative complications, preoperative evaluation and preoperative patient preparation are of great importance. Goals of preoperative preparation and anesthesia in patients with COPD are maintaining ventilation-perfusion ratio, preventing development of hipoxemia, intraoperative brochospasm, pneumothorax and disturbances of cardivascular system.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is accepted as a "gold standard" for treating most gallbladder diseases because it is superior to the open method, causes less postoperative pulmonary dysfunction, and promotes earlier postoperative recovery. The laparoscopically associated adverse effects of a carbon dioxide (CO(2)) pneumoperitoneum, however, such as hypercarbia and arterial acidosis, are more pronounced in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The clinical results of LC for patients with COPD are analyzed in this study. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with COPD (group 1) and undergoing LC were compared with 25 control patients without COPD and also undergoing LC (group 2). Patient demographics, intraoperative end-tidal CO(2) (both before and after CO(2) insufflation), and clinical outcome, including surgical duration, length of postoperative hospital stay, and any associated complications, were analyzed. RESULTS: The procedure of one group 1 patient was converted to the open method, and this patient was excluded from the study. Comprising the COPD group were 20 patients with mild COPD and one patient with moderate COPD. With similar settings of tidal volume and ventilation rate for the two groups, the measured end-tidal CO(2) value was significantly greater for group 1 than for group 2 patients after the creation of a CO(2) pneumoperitoneum (34.2 +/- 2.7 vs. 30.7 +/- 3.6 mm Hg; P =.012). The duration of surgery was similar for groups 1 and 2 (88.9 +/- 36.0 vs. 83.2 +/- 38.3 minutes), as was the duration of the postoperative hospital stay (3.3 +/- 1.6 vs. 3.4 +/- 2.2 days). No pulmonary complications were noted for any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: LC can be safely performed in COPD patients with mild or even a moderate degree of airway obstruction. Intraoperative CO(2) retention did not complicate the postoperative recovery in terms of the complication rate or the duration of the postoperative hospital stay.