Ten clinically-stable subjects with thoracic scoliosis were recruited. The subjects were already established on NIPPV, but none were using either of the ventilators to be tested. After familiarisation, the patients used the two ventilators in random order on consecutive nights. Peripheral oxygen saturation and transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension (Pt,CO 2 ) were measured continuously, and sleep was recorded using polysomnography.There were no significant differences in arterial oxygen saturation, Pt,CO 2 or sleep duration and quality between the two nights.Despite previously illustrated variation in laboratory performance, no differences were seen between the two ventilators when comparing overnight gas exchange and sleep in vivo. Further study is required to evaluate the significance of the differences found during bench testing in the clinical setting. Eur Respir J 2002; 20: 942-945.
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