NIV reduces COPD re-admissions

The addition of noninvasive ventilation to home oxygen and standard care following an exacerbation of COPD can reduce the risk of hospital readmission or death. A multi-centre UK study recruited 116 patients with persistent hypercapnia (PaCO2 >53mmHg) and hypoxaemia (PaO2 <55mmHg) two to four weeks after an initial exacerbation. The study, presented at the American ...