Effect of Portable NIV on Operational Chest Wall Volumes in COPD

The VitaBreath (Philips, Respironics) is a portable, handheld, battery powered, non-invasive ventilation device, that has been shown by our group to reduce activity-related shortness of breath in patients with COPD. It delivers 18 cmH2O inspiratory and 8 cmH2O expiratory pressures, but can only be used during recovery periods. In our study patients will perform consecutive bouts of exercise alternated by two minute of recovery in order to allow the use of the VitaBreath device during the first minute of each recovery period.