RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Effects of negative pressure assisted ventilation on dyspnoeic sensation and breathing pattern JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 1278 OP 1283 DO 10.1183/09031936.98.12061278 VO 12 IS 6 A1 Nishino, T A1 Isono, S A1 Ide, T YR 1998 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/12/6/1278.abstract AB Although negative pressure assisted ventilation with an assist-control mode may have a potential therapeutic role in the treatment of severe dyspnoea, the effects of negative pressure assisted ventilation with the assist-control mode on dyspnoea and breathing patterns have not been examined. We examined the effects of negative pressure assisted ventilation with the assist-control mode on dyspnoea and breathing patterns produced by a combination of resistive loading and hypercapnia in nine healthy subjects breathing spontaneously. Subjects were asked to rate their sensation of respiratory discomfort using a visual analogue scale. Negative pressure assisted ventilation caused a significant reduction in sensation of respiratory discomfort from a visual analogue scale score of 74 (55-91) (median (range)) before negative pressure assisted ventilation to 34 (15-53) during negative pressure assisted ventilation (p<0.01). During negative pressure assisted ventilation, there were significant changes in breathing patterns characterized by an increase in tidal volume and a decrease in respiratory frequency, while neither minute ventilation nor end-tidal carbon dioxide tension changed. Our results indicate that negative pressure assisted ventilation with the assist-control mode is effective in relief of dyspnoea and that negative pressure assisted ventilation influences the control of breathing to minimize respiratory discomfort.