Home mechanical ventilators: the point of view of the patients

Choosing a ventilator for home mechanical ventilation

“…A wide range of home care ventilators (HCV) are now available for long-term mechanical ventilation [4][5][6][7]. HCVs are heterogeneous with respect to technical performance and reliability [6,8], and their user-friendliness for the operator [9,10]. However, this extended range of commercially available machines makes the choice of the best device for different categories of patients more difficult [8].…”

“…By contrast, some ventilators which were not well tolerated by patients had good bench performances. In spite of the fact that we do not know if the patient's perception has a prognostic impact, good sense suggests that a patient who feels comfortable and relaxed with a particular home ventilator is more likely to comply well with treatment than a patient who does not [9]. Since in many cases the primary objectives of NIV are to alleviate dyspnoea and improve comfort, it does not seem reasonable to exclude the patient's view on the treatment [9].…”

“…However, data available Choosing a ventilator for home mechanical ventilation about patient satisfaction regarding mechanical ventilation are very scarce [5,61]. There are perceived differences between ventilators, but there is no ''perfect ventilator'' [9]. Interestingly, one bench study [9] showed that the best ranked of the ventilators also exhibited the fastest pressure rise time.…”

“…There are perceived differences between ventilators, but there is no ''perfect ventilator'' [9]. Interestingly, one bench study [9] showed that the best ranked of the ventilators also exhibited the fastest pressure rise time. By contrast, some ventilators which were not well tolerated by patients had good bench performances.…”

“…Another problem is the lack of adaptation of equipment for use by handicapped patients. The point of view of the patients is, thus, clinically relevant, because better patient well-being is related to a better treatment compliance [9,59,60], a critical issue in home ventilation especially in those undergoing NIV. However, data available Choosing a ventilator for home mechanical ventilation about patient satisfaction regarding mechanical ventilation are very scarce [5,61].…”