Changes in airway resistance induced by nasal or oral intermittent positive pressure ventilation in normal individuals

Nasal intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (nIPPV) is used for the treatment of respiratory failure in patients with neuromuscular disease. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate that nIPPV may activate nose receptors, the consequence of which being reflex changes in lung resistance. The changes in interrupter resistances (Rint) in response to nIPPV were tested before and after local anaesthesia of the nasal mucosa in normal subjects. They were compared to the Rint changes induced by oral intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (oIPPV) in the same individuals. Rint was measured during 10-min periods of nIPPV or oIPPV at a constant rate (15 L x min(-1)), but at two different stroke volumes (0.8 and 1.2 L). Inspired temperature and relative humidity were held constant. nIPPV with 1.2 L (17 mL x kg(-1)) significantly increased the Rint value (+22%). This effect disappeared after nose anaesthesia or after inhalation of a cholinergic antagonist. oIPPV never changed Rint, even though the associated hypocapnia was present and more accentuated than during nIPPV. Adding CO2 to the inspired gas during nIPPV and oIPPV trials suppressed the Rint changes. The present study suggests the existence of a nasopulmonary bronchoconstrictor reflex elicited through the stimulation of nasal mechanoreceptors, their activity being markedly influenced by the changes in expired CO2 concentration.