Another brick in the wall of needs for invasive ventilation?

Abstract

Ventilator-induced lung injury and ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction are major complications in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure. Invasive ventilation adds a further burden by increasing the risk of infections. An approach that protects both lung and diaphragm is pivotal. Mirabella and colleagues compared conventional controlled ventilation with a mode that combines several potentially lung-protective properties - non-invasively applied neurally adjusted ventilatory assist - in an animal experiment. This approach seemed to be as effective but potentially more lung-protective. Although the experimental setup and results cannot be translated directly to the clinical setting, they should motivate us to further study this innovative approach.

• Authors: Michael Quintel, Onnen Moerer
• Journal: Critical care (London, England) (Crit Care) Vol. 18 Issue 2 Pg. 122 (Mar 17 2014) ISSN: 1466-609X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25029382 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Comment)

Topics

• Acute Lung Injury (physiopathology)
• Animals
• Positive-Pressure Respiration (methods)
• Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury (prevention & control)