Average volume-assured pressure support

Abstract

Average volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS) is a relatively new mode of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NiPPV); only a few studies have been done to compare its effectiveness and safety to bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) in chronic respiratory failure secondary to obesity hypoventilation syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and neuromuscular disorders with respiratory muscle weakness. Only six studies were found in PubMed, and these studies had many limitations, especially small sample sizes. This review provides detailed summaries of these studies. These devices require more investigation.

Keywords

• non-invasive ventilation, pressure support, average volume-assured pressure support, obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, COPD, hypercapnia