Normalizing CO2 in Chronic Hyperventilation by a Novel Breathing Mask: A Pilot Study (HVMASKE)

University of Aarhus

Status: Completed

Conditions: Chronic Idiopathic Hyperventilation; Dysfunctional Breathing; Respiratory Alkalosis; Hyperventilation

Treatments: Device: Partial Rebreathing Mask

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT01575665

8313-86

Details and patient eligibility

About

Background: Chronic Idiopathic Hyperventilation (CIH) is a form of dysfunctional breathing which has proven hard to treat effectively. The investigators hypothesised that by periodically inducing normocapnia over several weeks, it would be possible to raise the normal resting level/set point of CO2 and achieve a reduction of symptoms.

Methods: Six CIH patients were treated two hours a day for four weeks with a novel breathing mask. The mask was used to induce normocapnia in these chronically hypocapnic patients.

Capillary blood gases (PcCO2, pH, Standard Base Excess (SBE) etc.) were measured at baseline and once each week at least three hours after mask use, as well as spirometric values, breath holding tolerance and hyperventilation symptoms as per the Nijmegen Questionnaire (NQ),.

Enrollment: 6 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 70 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Chronic idiopathic hyperventilation, i.e.:

• PCO2 level below 4.7 kPa AND
• SBE value more negative than -1.0

Exclusion criteria

• Oxygen saturation of 95% or lower at rest

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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6 participants in 1 patient group

Partial Rebreathing Mask

Experimental group

Description:

A novel membrane breathing mask which facilitates a partial rebreathing of expired gas (thereby raising systemic CO2), while allowing a diffusion of oxygen from the atmosphere to the user, through the membranes.

Treatment:

Device: Partial Rebreathing Mask