Impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on the respiratory capacity of chronic kidney disease patients under hemodialysis treatment.

Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on long-term dialysis present changes in pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength, negatively influencing physical capacity. Objective: To analyze the impact of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) protocol on the respiratory capacity of CKD patients under hemodialysis.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted involving 40 CKD patients 19-83 years old divided into two groups: control (n = 20) and CPAP (n = 20). Subjects were assessed on the respiratory muscle function test, maximal respiratory pressures, peak flow and 6-min walk test, at baseline and again at the 2-month follow-up. CPAP group patients were submitted to CPAP protocol (PEEP: 5 cm H2O, flow: 15 L/min, FiO2: 33 %) three times per week during hemodialysis sessions.

Results: The CPAP group showed higher forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, peak expiratory flow, maximal inspiratory pressure, peak flow, as well as lower systolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and Borg scale, in addition to a longer distance travelled on the 6-min walk test, compared with the control group.

Conclusions: The introduction of a CPAP protocol during hemodialysis sessions had a positive impact on pulmonary function and physical capacity in CKD patients.