Longhini F, Liu L, Pan C, et al. Respir Care. 2019;64(5):582-589
In this study compared neurally-controlled pressure support through a helmet with pressure support through a face mask for subject comfort, breathing pattern, gas exchange, pressurization and triggering performance, and patient-ventilator synchrony. Two 30-min trials of NIV were randomly delivered to 10 subjects with COPD exacerbation. The first group was treated with pressure support through a face mask and the second group with NAVA through a helmet. Several parameters were evaluated including subject comfort, breathing frequency, respiratory drive, arterial blood gases, pressure-time product (PTP) of the first 300 ms and 500ms after initiation of subject effort, inspiratory trigger delay, and rate of asynchrony determined as the asynchrony index. NAVA through a helmet significantly improved comfort compared with pressure support through a face mask. Although the breathing pattern was not different between the methods, the respiratory drive was slightly reduced during NAVA through a helmet in comparison with pressure support through a face mask. Gas exchange was also not different between the trials. The PTP was comparable between trials, whereas triggering performance, patient-ventilator interaction, and synchrony were all improved by NAVA through a helmet compared with pressure support through a face mask. Therefore, in subjects with COPD with exacerbation, NAVA through a helmet improved comfort, triggering performance, and patient-ventilator synchrony compared with pressure support through a face mask.
Link to abstract
Barbagallo M, Ortu A, Spadini E, Salvadori A, Ampollini L, Internullo E, Ziegler S, Fanelli G. Respir Care. 2012 Sep;57(9):1418-24
Randomised trial of 50 patients allocated to receive either continuous oxygen therapy or two cycles of helmet CPAP for 120 minutes. Results suggest that by the end of the second helmet treatment, patient's had a significantly higher PaO2/FiO2 but the improvement in oxygenation was not lasting. However, helmet CPAP was 'secure and well tolerated'.
Link to abstract.
Conti G, Cavaliere F, Costa R, Craba A, Catarci S, Festa V, Proietti R, Antonelli M. Respir Care. 2007 Nov;52(11):1463-71
Comparison of the efficacy of NPPV delivered to 25 patients via helmet, matched with 25 controls chosen from historical patients treated with face mask. Authors conclude that NPPV by helmet can be 'an alternative to conventional ventilation'.
Link to abstract.