Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing devices reduce exacerbations in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients

<bold>Background:</bold> Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disease defined by abnormal and permanent dilatation of the bronchi, responsible for a syndrome of coughing, expectoration and/or recurrent respiratory infections. Mortality is related to exacerbations due to infections. Airway clearance techniques (ACTs) are important in the management of the disease. Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing (IPPB), an ACT based on hyper-insufflations, triggered by the patient’s active inspiration, aims to provide better ventilation and bronchial drainage by delivering a large predetermined inspiratory volume. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy of the IPPB in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) patients. <bold>Materials and methods:</bold> We enrolled 50 patients with NCFB who used an IPPB device in a retrospective observational study. Primary outcomes were the number of exacerbations and hospitalizations one year before vs one year after the implementation of the device. Secondary endpoint was the impact on pulmonary function tests (PFTs). <bold>Results:</bold> A significant reduction of the number of acute exacerbations (mean: 2.34±1.57 before versus 1.44 ± 1.51 after IPPB, p=0.0026) and hospitalizations (mean: 0.52±0.64 before versus 0.280±0.49 after IPPB, p=0.0128) were noted one year after the introduction of IPPB device. No significant changes on PFTs were noted. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> According to our results, IPPB is an effective airway clearance technique, reducing acute exacerbations and hospitalizations in NCFB patients.