Aissam Lyazidi

Patient-Ventilator Asynchrony During Noninvasive Ventilation: A Bench and Clinical Study

BACKGROUND Different kinds of ventilators are available to perform noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in ICUs. Which type allows the best patient-ventilator synchrony is unknown. The objective was to compare patient-ventilator synchrony during NIV between ICU, transport—both with and without the NIV algorithm engaged—and dedicated NIV ventilators. METHODS First, a bench model simulating spontaneous breathing efforts was used to assess the respective impact of inspiratory and expiratory leaks on cycling and triggering functions in 19 ventilators. Second, a clinical study evaluated the incidence of patient-ventilator asynchronies in 15 patients during three randomized, consecutive, 20-min periods of NIV using an ICU ventilator with and without its NIV algorithm engaged and a dedicated NIV ventilator. Patient-ventilator asynchrony was assessed using flow, airway pressure, and respiratory muscles surface electromyogram recordings. RESULTS On the bench, frequent auto-triggering and delayed cycling occurred in the presence of leaks using ICU and transport ventilators. NIV algorithms unevenly minimized these asynchronies, whereas no asynchrony was observed with the dedicated NIV ventilators in all except one. These results were reproduced during the clinical study: The asynchrony index was significantly lower with a dedicated NIV ventilator than with ICU ventilators without or with their NIV algorithm engaged (0.5% [0.4%-1.2%] vs 3.7% [1.4%-10.3%] and 2.0% [1.5%-6.6%], P < .01), especially because of less auto-triggering. CONCLUSIONS Dedicated NIV ventilators allow better patient-ventilator synchrony than ICU and transport ventilators, even with their NIV algorithm. However, the NIV algorithm improves, at least slightly and with a wide variation among ventilators, triggering and/or cycling off synchronization.

Helmet with specific settings versus facemask for noninvasive ventilation.

Objective:To compare the physiologic effects of noninvasive pressure-support ventilation (NPSV) delivered by a facemask, a helmet with the same settings, and a helmet with specific settings. Inspiratory muscle effort, gas exchange, patient-ventilator synchrony, and comfort were evaluated. Design:Prospective crossover study. Setting:A 13-bed medical intensive care unit in a university hospital. Patients:Eleven patients at risk for respiratory distress requiring early NPSV after extubation. Intervention:One hour after extubation, three 20-minute NPSV periods were delivered in a random order by facemask, helmet, and helmet with 50% increases in both pressure support and positive end-expiratory pressure and with the highest pressurization rate (95% max). Measurements and Main Results:Flow and airway, esophageal, and gastric pressure signals were measured under the three NPSV conditions and during spontaneous breathing. Compared with the facemask, the helmet with the same settings resulted in a greater inspiratory muscle effort, but this difference was abolished by the specific settings (pressure-time product in cm H2O·s·min−1, 63.8 [27.3–85.9], 81.8 [36.0–111.5], and 58.0 [25.4–79.5], respectively, p < 0.05, compared with 209.3 [29.8–239.6] during spontaneous breathing). Compared with the facemask, the helmet with the same settings worsened patient-ventilator synchrony, as indicated by longer triggering-on and cycling-off delays (0.14 [0.11–0.20] seconds vs. 0.32 [0.26–0.43] seconds, p < 0.05; and 0.20 [0.08–0.24] seconds vs. 0.27 [0.25–0.35] seconds, p < 0.01, respectively). The specific settings significantly improved the triggering-on delay compared with the helmet without specific settings (p < 0.01). Tolerance was the same with the three methods. Conclusions:Our results suggest that increasing both the pressure-support level and positive end-expiratory pressure and using the highest pressurization rate may be advisable when providing NPSV via a helmet.

Positive end-expiratory pressure-induced functional recruitment in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Objective:In acute respiratory distress syndrome, alveolar recruitment improves gas exchange only if perfusion of the recruited alveolar units is adequate. To evaluate functional recruitment induced by positive end-expiratory pressure, we assessed pulmonary conductance for gas exchange based on lung diffusion for carbon monoxide and its components, including pulmonary capillary blood volume. Design:Prospective, randomized, crossover study. Setting:Medical intensive care unit of a university hospital. Patients:Sixteen patients with lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome as well as eight control patients under invasive ventilation and eight healthy volunteers. Interventions:Mechanical ventilation with two levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (5 and 15 cm H2O). Measurements and Main Results:Lung diffusion for carbon monoxide and lung volumes, arterial blood gas analysis, and pressure-volume curves. In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, high positive end-expiratory pressure induced a 23% mean lung diffusion for carbon monoxide increase (4.4 ± 1.7 mm Hg−1 · min−1 vs. 3.6 ± 1.4 mL · mm Hg−1 · min−1). In control patients and in healthy volunteers, lung diffusion for carbon monoxide values were (median [interquartile range]) 5.5 [3.8-8.0] mm Hg−1 · min−1 and 19.6 [15.1-20.6] mL · mm Hg−1 · min−1, respectively. Among patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, eight showed a >20% lung diffusion for carbon monoxide increase (responders) when increasing positive end-expiratory pressure. In the other eight, lung diffusion for carbon monoxide decreased or showed a <5% increase (nonresponders) with high positive end-expiratory pressure. Compared with nonresponders, responders at low positive end-expiratory pressure had smaller lungs with higher capillary blood volume-to-lung-volume ratio, higher values of the lower inflection point, and significantly greater increases in pulmonary capillary blood volume with high positive end-expiratory pressure. High positive end-expiratory pressure increased PaO2/Fio2 only in the responders. Conclusions:The functional response to positive end-expiratory pressure in patients with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome seems better when the lungs are smaller and with a higher capillary blood-volume-to-lung-volume ratio. Lung diffusion for carbon monoxide measurement supplies additional information about functional lung recruitment, which is not synonymous with mechanical recruitment.

Effect of pressure support on end-expiratory lung volume and lung diffusion for carbon monoxide.

Objectives:The level of pressure-support ventilation can affect mean airway pressure and potentially lung volume, but its increase is usually associated with a reduced respiratory rate, and the net effects on the gas exchange process and its components, including end-expiratory lung volume, have not been carefully studied. We measured pulmonary conductance for gas exchange based on lung diffusion for carbon monoxide in patients receiving pressure-support ventilation. Design:Prospective, randomized, crossover study. Setting:Medical intensive care unit of a university hospital. Patients:Sixteen patients mechanically ventilated in pressure-support ventilation mode and free from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Interventions:Two pressure-support ventilation levels (5 cm H2O difference) at the same level of positive end-expiratory pressure. Measurements and Main Results:End-expiratory lung volume, lung diffusion for carbon monoxide, and SpO2/Fio2 were evaluated. Increasing pressure-support ventilation by 5 cm H2O significantly increased the mean tidal volume from 6.8 to 8.5 mL/kg of predicted body weight and decreased the mean respiratory rate by 6.6 breaths per minute. Although SpO2/Fio2 did not change significantly, there was a slight but significant decrease in lung diffusion for carbon monoxide (average decay rate of 4.5%) at high pressure-support ventilation. The pressure-support ventilation level did not significantly affect end-expiratory lung volume (1737 ± 629 mL at 9.6 ± 2.5 cm H2O pressure-support ventilation level vs. 1749 ± 657 mL at 14.9 ± 2.1 cm H2O pressure-support ventilation level). Conclusions:A 5-cm H2O increase in pressure-support ventilation neither affected end-expiratory lung volume nor increased the pulmonary volume participating in gas exchange. A target tidal volume closer to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight than to 8 mL/kg during pressure-support ventilation was associated with better gas exchange.

Impact of ventilation strategies during chest compression. An experimental study with clinical observations

The optimal ventilation strategy during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is unknown. Chest compression (CC) generates circulation, while during decompression, thoracic recoil generates negative pressure and venous return. Continuous flow insufflation of oxygen (CFI) allows noninterrupted CC and generates positive airway pressure (Paw). The main objective of this study was to assess the effects of positive Paw compared with the current recommended ventilation strategy on intrathoracic pressure (P(IT)) variations, ventilation, and lung volume. In a mechanical model, allowing compression of the thorax below an equilibrium volume mimicking functional residual capacity (FRC), CC alone or with manual bag ventilation were compared with two levels of Paw with CFI. Lung volume change below FRC at the end of decompression and P(IT), as well as estimated alveolar ventilation, were measured during the bench study. Recordings were obtained in five cardiac arrest patients to confirm the bench findings. Lung volume was continuously below FRC, and as a consequence P(IT) remained negative during decompression in all situations, including with positive Paw. Compared with manual bag or CC alone, CFI with positive Paw limited the fall in lung volume and resulted in larger positive and negative P(IT) variations. Positive Paw with CFI significantly augmented ventilation induced by CC. Recordings in patients confirmed a major loss of lung volume below FRC during CPR, even with positive Paw. Compared with manual bag ventilation, positive Paw associated with CFI limits the loss in lung volume, enhances CC-induced positive P(IT), maintains negative P(IT) during decompression, and generates more alveolar ventilation.

Influence of Ambient Temperature and Minute Ventilation on Passive and Active Heat and Moisture Exchangers

OBJECTIVE: During invasive mechanical ventilation, inspired gases must be humidified. We previously showed that high ambient temperature greatly impaired the hygrometric performance of heated wire-heated humidifiers. The aim of this bench and clinical study was to assess the humidification performance of passive and active heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) and the impact of ambient temperature and ventilator settings. METHODS: We first tested on the bench a device with passive and active humidification properties (Humid-Heat, Teleflex), and 2 passive hydrophobic/hygroscopic HMEs (Hygrobac and Hygrobac S, Tyco Healthcare). The devices were tested at 3 different ambient temperatures (from 22 to 30°C), and at 2 minute ventilation settings (10 and 20 L/min). Inspired gas hygrometry was measured at the Y-piece with the psychrometric method. In addition to the bench study, we measured the hygrometry of inspired gases in 2 different clinical studies. In 15 mechanically ventilated patients, we evaluated Humid-Heat at different settings. Additionally, we evaluated Humid-Heat and compared it with Hygrobac in a crossover study in 10 patients. RESULTS: On the bench, with the Hygrobac and Hygrobac S the inspired absolute humidity was ∼30 mg H2O/L, and with the Humid-Heat, slightly < 35 mg H2O/L. Ambient temperature and minute ventilation did not have a clinically important difference on the performance of the tested devices. During the clinical evaluation, Humid-Heat provided inspired humidity in a range from 28.5 to 42.0 mg H2O/L, depending on settings, and was only weakly influenced by the patients body temperature. CONCLUSIONS: In this study both passive and active HMEs had stable humidification performance with negligible influence of ambient temperature and minute ventilation. This contrasts with previous findings with heated wire-heated humidifiers. Although there are no clear data demonstrating that higher humidification impacts outcomes, it is worth noting that humidity was significantly higher with the active HME.

Comparison Between Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist and Pressure Support Ventilation Levels in Terms of Respiratory Effort.

Objectives:To understand the potential equivalence between neurally adjusted ventilatory assist and pressure support ventilation levels in terms of respiratory muscle unloading. To compare the respiratory pattern, variability, synchronization, and neuromuscular coupling within comparable ranges of assistance. Design:Prospective single-center physiologic study. Setting:A 13-bed university medical ICU. Patients:Eleven patients recovering from respiratory failure. Interventions:The following levels of assistance were consecutively applied in a random order: neurally adjusted ventilatory assist levels: 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 7 cm H2O/&mgr;volt; pressure support levels: 7, 10, 15, 20, and 25 cm H2O. Measurements and Main Results:Flow, airway pressure, esophageal pressures, and peak electrical activity of the diaphragm were continuously recorded. Breathing effort was calculated. To express the percentage of assist assumed by the ventilator, the total pressure including muscular and ventilator pressure was calculated. The median percentage of assist ranged from 33% (24–47%) to 82% (72–90%) between pressure support 7 and 25 cm H2O. Similar levels of unloading were observed for neurally adjusted ventilatory assist levels from 0.5 cm H2O/&mgr;volt (46% [40–51%]) to 2.5 cm H2O/&mgr;volt (80% [74–84%]). Tidal variability was higher during neurally adjusted ventilatory assist and ineffective efforts appeared only in pressure support. In neurally adjusted ventilatory assist, double triggering occurred sometimes when electrical activity of the diaphragm signal depicted a biphasic aspect, and an abnormal oscillatory pattern was frequently observed from 4 cm H2O/&mgr;volt. For both modes, the relationship between peak electrical activity of the diaphragm and muscle pressure depicted a curvilinear profile. Conclusions:In patients recovering from acute respiratory failure, levels of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist between 0.5 and 2.5 cm H2O/&mgr;volt are comparable to pressure support levels ranging from 7 to 25 cm H2O in terms of respiratory muscle unloading. Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist provides better patient-ventilator interactions but can be sometimes excessively sensitive to electrical activity of the diaphragm in terms of triggering.

Imposed Work of Breathing During High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation in Spontaneously Breathing Neonatal and Pediatric Models

BACKGROUND: High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is used in cases of neonatal and pediatric acute respiratory failure, sometimes even as the primary ventilatory mode. Allowing patients (at least neonates) on HFOV to breathe spontaneously soon after intubation has been shown to be feasible, and this is becoming a more generally used approach for infants and small children. However, such an approach may increase the imposed work of breathing (WOB), raising the question of whether the imposed WOB varies with the use of newer-generation HFOV devices, which operate according to different functional principles. METHODS: A bench test was designed to compare the pressure-time product (PTP), a surrogate marker of the imposed WOB, produced with the use of 7 HFOV devices. Scenarios corresponding to various age groups (preterm newborn [1 kg], term newborn [3.5 kg], infant [10 kg], and child [25 kg]) and 2 respiratory system conditions (physiologic and pathologic) were tested. RESULTS: The PTP varied between devices and increased with the oscillation frequency for all devices, independent of the respiratory system condition. Furthermore, the PTP increased with age and was higher for physiologic than for pathologic respiratory system conditions. We considered a change of ≥ 20% as being of clinically relevant; the effect of oscillation frequency was the most important parameter influencing imposed WOB during spontaneous breathing. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in imposed WOB, as expressed by PTP values, during spontaneous breathing depend mainly on the oscillator frequency, respiratory system condition, and, though to a lesser extent, on the device itself.

How Ventilation Is Delivered During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: An International Survey

BACKGROUND: Recommendations regarding ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are based on a low level of scientific evidence. We hypothesized that practices about ventilation during CPR might be heterogeneous and may differ worldwide. To address this question, we surveyed physicians from several countries on their practices during CPR. METHODS: We used a Web-based opinion survey. Links to the survey were sent by e-mail newsletters and displayed on the Web sites of medical societies involved in CPR practice from December 2013 to March 2014. RESULTS: 1,328 surveys were opened, and 548 were completed (41%). Responses came from 54 countries, but 64% came from 6 countries. Responders were mostly physicians (89%). From this group, 97% declared following specific CPR guidelines. Regarding practices, 28% declared always or frequently adopting only continuous chest compressions without additional ventilation. With regard to mechanical chest compression devices, 38% responded that such devices were available to them; when used, 28% declared always or frequently experiencing problems with ventilation such as frequent alarms. During bag-mask ventilation in intubated patients, 18% declared stopping chest compression during insufflation, and 39% applied > 10 breaths/min, which conflicts with international CPR guidelines. When a ventilator was used, the volume controlled mode was the most common strategy cited, but there was heterogeneity regarding ventilator settings for PEEP, trigger, FIO2, and breathing frequency. SpO2 and end-tidal CO2 were the 2 most monitored variables cited. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians indicated heterogeneous practices that often differ significantly from international CPR guidelines. This may reflect the low level of evidence and a lack of detailed recommendations concerning ventilation during CPR.