Effectiveness of TNI vs. BiPAP in Chronic Global Insufficiency in COPD Patients

Inclusion Criteria: * presence of COPD with chronic respiratory global insufficiency * chronic day-hypercapnia with pCO2 \>= 50 mmHg and typical symptoms of ventilatory insufficiency OR patients with exacerbation (after abate of acute symptomatology) with documented hypercapnia \>= 50 mmHG on preliminary findings * age 18 or older * the patient or caretaker must be able to operate the device after a specific training * patient must be willing to use the nHF-/BiPAP-device for the whole trial period for at least 5 hours/day * patient must be able to answer the questionnaires * written informed consent is obtained Exclusion Criteria: * presence of acute respiratory insufficiency * exacerbation of type I or II in the last 4 weeks * conservative therapy including long-term oxygen therapy according to GOLD update 2011 is not exhausted * previous treatment with NIV (non-invasive ventilation) in the last 14 days * clinical instability or acute illness (e.g. acute myocardial infarction, tachycardial atrial fibrillation) * signs of cardial decompensation (e.g. edema in the lower limbs, pleural effusion) * other serious concomitant diseases, the assessment of eligibility is at the discretion of the investigator * contraindications for NIV * anamnestic suspicion or proven obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) * relevant systemic infections, assessment of eligibility is at the discretion of the investigator * BMI \> 30 * other additional pulmonary diseases of other genesis or diseases that affect breathing (e.g. mucoviscidosis, scoliosis, muscular diseases) * lack of compliance * participation in other interventional trials at the same time * pregnant or nursing women * fertile female patients without effective contraceptive measures during trial participation