[Indications for intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV): a review of the literature]

Introduction: Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation (IPV) is used to treat peripheral airway obstruction as well as disorders of ventilation.

State of the art: The medical literature shows that IPV can be deployed for both symptomatic and prophylactic purposes. When conventional techniques of chest physiotherapy have been ineffective, IPV may be delivered in a variety of severe respiratory diseases via both invasive and non-invasive interfaces. Diseases such as advanced neuromuscular disorders with severe bronchial congestion, stable or decompensated cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease whether in the stable condition, during exacerbations or after extubation as well as atelectasis or other severe respiratory complications may all benefit from therapeutic effects of IPV. Very few contra-indications are reported in the literature.

Perspectives: The precise physiological effects of IPV are not yet well demonstrated. Despite significant progresses, the level of evidence for the clinical effectiveness of IPV remains insufficient.

Conclusions: IPV can be considered as a technique that may offer valuable assistance in the treatment of severe respiratory diseases that are refractory to conventional techniques of respiratory therapy.