Assessment of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in healthy young volunteers using salivary stress biomarkers

Abstract

Aim: We performed a stress assessment of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) using the salivary biomarkers chromogranin A. Materials & methods: Twenty healthy volunteers were subjected to NPPV for 30 min. We collected saliva samples before and after NPPV and evaluated chromogranin A. Results: We collected saliva samples from 13 volunteers for enzyme measurement. Of the 13 volunteers, 11 showed elevated chromogranin A levels, which were significantly higher after NPPV than before NPPV (p < 0.01). The chromogranin A increase group displayed significantly increased leak flow and reduced respiratory rate and absolute humidity compared with the chromogranin A reduction group. Conclusion: The increase of leak volume might be a stress factor in patients receiving NPPV. Lay abstract Salivary biomarkers are attractive as they are noninvasive and convenient. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV), the delivery of mechanical ventilation to those with respiratory failure, can have complications resulting in stress to the patient. Here, we evaluated stress-related salivary biomarkers during NPPV in healthy individuals. Our results suggest that NPPV might increase stress levels and that humidity and leak volume affected stress.