Intermittent abdominal pressure ventilation is a positive pressure ventilation technique that works with abdominal compressions.It has been known since 1938; however, for many years, it was out of production.In recent years, a Cardamom new device has been produced that has captured the attention to this old respiratory support technique.We considered eight patients with respiratory failure secondary to a neuromuscular disease (congenital myopathy, Duchenne dystrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) intolerant to daytime noninvasive ventilation (NIV).IAPV was proposed as an alternative to NIV.
We performed baseline and post-IAPV respiratory function assessment.All patients, two years later, are still using intermittent abdominal ventilation.Intermittent positive abdominal mechanical ventilation can be a valid alternative to noninvasive mechanical ventilation with a nasal or Butter Rollers face mask.It improves gas exchange, symptoms, and quality of life, decreases the incidence of pneumonia, and can avert the need for intubation and tracheotomy.