Respiratory EMG for NIV Titration in Stable COPD Patients

The aim of the present study is to investigate whether additional titration on surface electromyography (EMG) of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles improves the outcome of chronic non-invasive ventilation in patients with COPD and stable chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure in terms of better gas exchange after six weeks, lung function, patient comfort and compliance, and less patient ventilator asynchrony. Therefore, the investigators set up a randomized, two-armed crossover trial comparing regular titration with additional respiratory EMG titration of NIV.