Mask pressure on the face during non-invasive ventilation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessment of mask pressure effects on the face during non-invasive ventilation in patients and healthy volunteers
IRAS ID
154286
Contact name
Patrik Petterssson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sponsor representative for the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Non-invasive ventilation is a mode of respiratory support frequently used in the management of respiratory failure. People receiving non-invasive ventilation need to wear a cushioned mask that is connected to an air pump machine. This mask either fits over the nose alone, or over both the nose and the mouth; a strap holds the mask firmly in place but it can easily be removed. A slightly pressurised airflow is blown into the mask while the patient breathes; the strength of the pressure varies during the breathing cycle.
The problem with the masks is that they need to fit closely to avoid air-leaks and are usually tightened until the air-leak is controlled, but sometimes they are tightened beyond this point. The face masks then exert a substantial pressure on the face and cause discomfort and pressure sores, which typically occur over the nasal bridge (the place where glasses sit). This can lead to a reduced tolerance and in the longer term can mean treatment with non-invasive ventilation can fail. Despite the widespread use of non-invasive ventilation and awareness of the problem of pressure sores induced by facemasks, there is very little information on the pressure exerted and the development of pressure sores induced by facemasks.
In this project, we aim to investigate the pressure effects of different commercially available facemasks during non-invasive ventilation in different situations in healthy volunteers and patients who are treated with non-invasive ventilation. We also aim to assess factors that could affect the pressure including positional changes, different mask cushions and addition of skin protective dressings or gastric tubes that pass under the mask. This may provide a rationale for the development of effective preventive strategies to decrease the risk of pressure sores.REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0809
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion