Reduced survival in patients with ALS with upper airway obstructive events on non-invasive ventilation

International audienceIntroduction Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is part of standard care in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Intolerance or unavailability of NIV, as well as the quality of correction of nocturnal hypoventilation, has a direct impact on prognosis.Objectives We describe the importance of NIV failure due to upper airway obstructive events, the clinical characteristics, as well as their impact on the prognosis of ALS.Methods Retrospective analysis of the data of 190 patients with ALS and NIV in a single centre for the period 2011–2014. 179 patients tolerating NIV for more than 4 h per night without leaks were analysed.Results Among the 179 patients, after correction of leaks, 73 remained inadequately ventilated at night (defined as more than 5% of the night spent at