Studies Conclude Novel DiMax ZERO NIV Mask Reduces CO2 Rebreathing by 80%
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) failure in critically ill patients range from 5 to 60%. One of the known causes of NIV failure is CO2 rebreathing.[1]
CO2 rebreathing can lead to several issues including hypercapnia, increased work of breathing, patient discomfort and even self-induced lung injury.
Minimizing CO2 rebreathing is essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of non-invasive ventilation.
Researchers have investigated the efficiency of the DiMax ZERO, a non-invasive ventilation total-face mask designed with separate inspiratory and expiratory limbs to reduce CO2 rebreathing.
A 2019 bench study examined CO2 rebreathing in multiple ventilation modes, specifically comparing the DiMax ZERO mask to one-limb masks. It was found that during ventilation with a single-limb circuit, 55% of the tidal volume could be rebreathed. However, the CO2 rebreathing significantly decreased by 80% when the two-limb DiMax ZERO mask was used. The most substantial reduction in rebreathing occurred during continuous-flow CPAP, with an average decrease of 90%.[1]
A 2023 study of healthy volunteers analyzed end-inspiratory CO2 as a proxy of CO2 rebreathing and also found the greatest reduction in the CPAP setting. End-inspiratory CO2 was 8.2 mm Hg with the one-limb mask and less than 1 mm Hg with the two-limb mask, corresponding to a decrease of about 90%.[2]
These studies conclude that the two-limb DiMax ZERO mask, which separates the pathways for inhalation and exhalation, was superior to the one-limb mask in reducing CO2 accumulation and rebreathing in all ventilator settings analyzed.
Researchers suggest this novel design could enhance the efficiency of NIV by ensuring patients receive air with lower CO2 concentrations, potentially improving patient comfort and treatment outcomes. View the studies in their entirety here.
The video illustrates the findings from the 2019 bench study, “Effect of Face Mask Design and Bias Flow on Rebreathing During Noninvasive Ventilation.” [1]
Note: The video illustrates a European circuit where inspiratory and expiratory are reversed compared to the U.S. It is not meant to indicate inspiratory and expiratory settings.
About the DiMax ZERO Total-Face Mask
The DiMax ZERO total-face mask is a single patient-use NIV mask for use in PSV, BiLevel-BIPAP and CPAP. In addition to its unique two-limb design that minimizes CO2 rebreathing, the DiMax ZERO is constructed of flexible polycarbonate and has a thin 0.3 mm silicone membrane to comfortably fit a wide range of patient face shapes and sizes, reducing skin injuries. The five-point headgear holds the lightweight mask securely in place to optimize patient/ventilator synchrony and reduce leakages.
To learn more about the DiMax ZERO NIV Total-Face Masks, contact your local SCC representative, email or call 866-367-7221.
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