Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing in the Long Term Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Data Center

摘要

This is a cooperative, randomized, controlled clinical trial involving five clinical centers, a pathology center, a data center, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute program office. Each of the participating centers will adhere to a common protocol that defines entry and exclusion criteria, patient management, and evaluations. The primary objectives of the study are to determine the relative effects and safety of long term IPPB and compressor nebulizer treatments when used as adjuncts to the comprehensive care of ambulatory patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although treatment cannot be blinded, patients and physicians will be blinded to the cummulative results of the study during patient recruitment and follow-up. Each patient will be followed for approximately three years or until death or withdrawl from the study.