Nava, S., Ferrer, M., Esquinas, A., Scala, R., Groff, P., Cosentini, R., . . . Grassi, M. (2013). Palliative use of non-invasive ventilation in end-of-life patients with solid tumours: A randomised feasibility trial. The Lancet Oncology, 14, 219–227.
To determine the acceptability of solely using palliative noninvasive ventilation (NIV) versus oxygen therapy to manage breathlessness in patients with end-stage cancer and its effects in reducing dyspnea and opioid requirement
Multi-center, randomized, controlled trial
NIV was feasible and effective in decreasing dyspnea intensity and reducing morphine requirements in patients with end-stage cancer experiencing respiratory failure. However, additional studies validating these findings and determining the effects of NIV on survival and quality of life are needed.
This study offers clinicians a treatment modality that can be used in adjunct with opioids to significantly reduce breathlessness in patients with end-stage cancer. Additional studies are needed to determine the specific patient population that would benefit the most from this treatment, its cost effectiveness, patient satisfaction, the adverse effects of NIV, and the survival rate.