Improvement of postoperative atelectasis in response to biphasic cuirass ventilation in a patient who was receiving noninvasive positive pressure ventilation at home

Abstract

Spinocerebellar degeneration is a rare disease that minimally affects the pulmonary muscles1). We describe our experience with biphasic cuirass ventilation (BCV) in a patient with spinocerebellar degeneration who was receiving noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) at home because of respiratory failure caused by decreased respiratory muscle strength. In BCV, proper artificial ventilation is provided through a cuirass tightly fitted around the patient’s chest. The negative (positive) pressure inside the cuirass creates chest expansion (compression)2). BCV is a non-invasive, ideal technique for mechanical ventilation that overcomes the shortcomings of conventional mechanical ventilation. As BCV does not require endotracheal intubation, patients can have conversations and eat meals. BCV prevents complications associated with endotracheal intubation and preserves vocal cord function3). BCV has been used4) not only for the management of cardiac disease, acute respiratory failure, or chronic lung disease, but also for weaning from invasive ventilation, central alveolar hypoventilation, chest physiotherapy, and secretion clearance5).