Biphasic Cuirass Ventilation

Effects of External Chest Wall Oscillation in Stable COPD Patients
G.W. Soo Hoo, M.J. Ellison, C. Zhang, A.J. Williams, M.J. Belman,
Los Angeles VAMC and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; UCLA School of Medicine,
Los Angeles, California
The effects of ECWO (using the Hayek Oscillator) were evaluated in four stable male patients with
severe COPD. They were studied during quiet breathing (control) and during ECWO at
frequencies of 30, 60 and 90 bpm. Best CO 2
elimination was at 90 bpm. They found that
"patients tolerated ECWO with reduction in ETCO 2
and maintenance of oxygenation despite smaller
VT.
This experience suggests that ECWO would be an acceptable and
effective alternative mode of non-invasive ventilatory support in COPD
patients."
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Vol. 149, No. 4, April 1994