High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) | Cystic Fibrosis | COPD | Bronchiectasis

“What an excellent experience! The ease of obtaining it, along with the quick delivery was surprising. The personal trainer came out to show us how everything worked and answered all of my questions. Thank you for making this such a pleasant experience.”
— Parent of a 13-year-old

Indications for Use

The indication for use of the Electromed SmartVest® Airway Clearance System is to deliver High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) to promote airway clearance and improve bronchial drainage. The SmartVest® Airway Clearance System is indicated when external chest manipulation is the physician’s treatment of choice to enhance mucus transport.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients were among the first to benefit from HFCWO treatment. However, a wider range of patients who have difficulties clearing excess pulmonary mucus secretions are now being treated with the therapy. Patients with bronchiectasis, neuro-muscular disorders, and COPD have been reported in the medical journals to receive significant airway clearance benefit from HFCWO treatment as provided by the SmartVest®. In recognition of the reported effectiveness, reimbursement for SmartVest® has become well established in the U.S. among private health insurance providers as well as Federal and State agencies.

effectiveness of HFCWO with COPD and hypersecretion

A recent clinical study was conducted by investigators to determine the effectiveness of HFCWO treatment on patients with COPD and hypersecretion using the SmartVest® Airway Clearance System(1). The study demonstrated a significant improvement in COPD symptoms and quality of life using the SmartVest® compared to standard treatment given for COPD patients. In addition, the study reported that HFCWO treatment with the SmartVest® was well tolerated by patients who often had significant disability, including shortness of breath at rest.

Other clinical studies have demonstrated HFCWO to be cost-effective by reducing hospitalizations and lung infections(2,3). HFCWO is extensively reported to be effective for a wide variety of medical conditions including

Mucociliary System Disorders
Cystic Fibrosis, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

Obstructive Pulmonary Conditions
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Bronchiectasis, Asthma

Neuromuscular Disease
Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

Neuromotor Disorders
Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injuries

Restrictive Airway Disorders
Scoliosis, Kyphoscoliosis

AARC Recommended Contraindications(4)

HFCWO should NOT be used if the following conditions are present:

Head and/or neck injury that has not yet been stabilized
Active hemorrhage with hemodynamic instability

Please visit the Diseases and Conditions portion of our website for a more in-depth
look at the various conditions that could benefit from the SmartVest® Airway Clearance System.

1- Chahal K, Austin G and Chakravorty I. High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Mucus Hypersecretion. Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society May 2008.
2- Ohnsorg F. A Cost Analysis of High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation in Cystic Fibrosis. AM J Respir and Crit Care Med 1994; 149(4): A669
3- Plioplys AV, Lewis S, Kasnicka I. Pulmonary vest therapy in pediatric long-term care. Journal of the American Medical Director’s Association 2002 Sep-Oct; 3 (5): 318-321.
4- AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines for the External Manipulation of the Thorax