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Biomedical subjects

R M Kacmarek

Publications and source records attributed to R M Kacmarek.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Expiratory phase and volume-adjusted tracheal gas insufflation: a lung model study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in a lung model the effects of expiratory-phase tracheal gas insufflation (expiratory-phase TGI) with both volume and pressure control ventilation, and tidal volume-adjusted continuous flow TGI (volume-adjusted TGI) on system pressures and volumes. DESIGN: Single-compartment lung model. SETTING: Research laboratory in a university medical center. INTERVENTIONS: Expiratory-phase TGI was established, using a solenoid valve activated by the ventilator. Volume-adjusted TGI was applied by reducing tidal volume (VT) by the product of TGI flow and inspiratory time. Ventilation was provided with pressure control of 20 cm H2O or volume control ventilation with VT similar to that with pressure control ventilation. A rate of 15 breaths/min and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 10 cm H2O were used throughout. Inspiratory time periods of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 secs were used with TGI flows of 0, 4, 8, and 12 L/min. Lung model compliance (mL/cm H2O) and resistance (cm H2O/L/sec) combinations of 20/20, 20/5, and 50/20 were used. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In expiratory-phase TGI with pressure control ventilation, peak alveolar pressure remained constant, PEEP increased (p < .01) and VT decreased (p < .01). In expiratory-phase TGI with volume control ventilation and volume-adjusted TGI, there were significant increases in peak alveolar pressure and PEEP (p < .01). Readjustment of VT in volume-adjusted TGI was impossible with longer inspiratory time (> or = 2 secs) and higher TGI flows (> or = 8 L/min). CONCLUSIONS: The marked increases in system pressures and volumes observed with continuous-flow TGI can be avoided with expiratory-phase TGI and volume-adjusted TGI.

Insufflation↗
PubMed1998

Delivery of inhaled nitric oxide using the Ohmeda INOvent Delivery System.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the Ohmeda INOvent Nitric Oxide Delivery System, which uses an inspiratory flow sensor to inject a synchronized and proportional nitric oxide (NO) flow into the mechanical ventilator circuit. This system should deliver a constant NO concentration independent of ventilator mode, minute ventilation, fraction of inspired oxygen, or ventilator brand. It should also minimize nitrogen dioxide (NO2) formation. METHODS: NO delivery by the INOvent and a premixing NO delivery system were compared using two ventilators (Puritan-Bennett 7200 and Servo 900C). NO concentration was measured within the trachea of an attached lung model using a fast-response chemiluminescence NO analyzer. NO concentration was also measured in the inspiratory limb using the electrochemical analyzer of the INOvent. For three NO concentrations (2, 5, and 20 ppm), the ventilators were set for constant flow volume control ventilation, pressure control ventilation, and spontaneous breathing with pressure support ventilation or synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation. Different tidal volumes (300, 500, 750, and 1,000 mL) and inspiratory times (1 and 2 s) were evaluated. NO2 formation for both ventilators and delivery systems were evaluated at 20 ppm and 95% O2-. RESULTS: Regardless of ventilatory pattern, both systems delivered a constant NO concentration. The error between the target and the delivered NO dose for the INOvent was -1.3+/-3.6% with the Puritan-Bennett 7200 and -3.9+/-4.3% with the Servo 900C. For the premixing system, the error was -5.5+/-4.8% with the Puritan-Bennett 7200 and -6.7+/-6.2% with the Servo 900C. NO2 concentrations were 0.5+/-0.1 ppm during NO delivery by the INOvent, 5.8+/-1.6 ppm when NO was premixed with air, 0.3+/-0.1 ppm when NO was premixed with N2. CONCLUSION: The INOvent provides a constant NO concentration independent of the ventilatory pattern, and NO2 formation is minimal.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1997

Low concentrations of nitric oxide increase oxygen affinity of sickle erythrocytes in vitro and in vivo.

The hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD) is the polymerization of deoxygenated sickle hemoglobin (HbS). In SCD patients, one strategy to reduce red blood cell (RBC) sickling is to increase HbS oxygen affinity. Our objective was to determine if low concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) gas would augment the oxygen affinity of RBCs containing homozygous HbS (SS). Blood containing normal adult hemoglobin (AA) or SS RBCs was incubated in vitro in the presence of varying concentrations of NO up to 80 ppm, and oxygen dissociation curves (ODCs) were measured. In addition, blood was obtained from three AA and nine SS volunteers, before and after breathing 80 ppm NO in air for 45 min, and the ODCs were measured. Exposure of SS RBCs to 80 ppm NO in vitro for 5 min or longer decreased the partial pressure of oxygen at which hemoglobin is 50% saturated with oxygen (P50), an average of 15% (4.8+/-1.7 mmHg mean+/-SE; P < 0.001). The increase in SS RBC oxygen affinity correlated with the NO concentration. The P50 of AA RBCs was unchanged (P > 0.1) by 80 ppm NO. In SS volunteers breathing 80 ppm NO for 45 min, the P50 decreased (P < 0.001) by 4.6+/-2.0 mmHg. 60 min after NO breathing was discontinued, the RBC P50 remained decreased in five of seven volunteers in whom the ODC was measured. There was no RBC P50 change (P > 0.1) in AA volunteers breathing NO. Methemoglobin (Mhb) remained low in all subjects breathing NO (SS Mhb 1.4+/-0.5%), and there was no correlation (r = 0.02) between the reduction in P50 and the change in Mhb. Thus, low concentrations of NO augment the oxygen affinity of sickle erythrocytes in vitro and in vivo without significant Mhb production. These results suggest that low concentrations of NO gas may offer an attractive new therapeutic model for the treatment of SCD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Nitric oxide (NO) measurement accuracy.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the clinical utility of NO requires accurate assessment of inspired [NO]. Currently, chemiluminescence analyzers are the clinical standard for analysis; however, their performance in the clinical setting has not been systemically evaluated. METHODS: We evaluated the performance of four chemiluminescence analyzers (270B NOA, Sievers Instruments, Inc.; CLA 510S, Horiba Co., Ltd.; CLD 700 AL, Eco Physics Corp.; Model 42, Thermo Environmental Instruments Inc.) in simulated clinical settings. Transport delay and dynamic 95% response time were measured by the balloon in a glass chamber puncture technique. Fluctuating [NO] in a continuous flow of gas and [NO] during mechanical ventilation, where NO was premixed prior to entering the ventilator, were evaluated. RESULTS: Transport delay ranged from 1.02 +/- 0.02 to 24.36 +/- 2.47 s (p < 0.05) and the 95% response time ranged from 0.22 +/- 0.04 to 70.03 +/- 0.03 s (p < 0.05). Accurate analysis of [NO] in a continuous flow system was only possible with the most rapid response analyzer (270B NOA). All other analyzers under reported the maximum [NO] (p < 0.05) and over reported the minimum [NO] (p < 0.05). All analyzers accurately determined [NO] in the inspiratory limb of the ventilator circuit, but none accurately determined [NO] at the airway opening. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of inhaled [NO] can vary greatly, dependent upon the performance characteristics of the analyzer and the location of NO analysis. All studies evaluating the clinical use of NO should fully describe the technical gas delivery methodology and the response time and transport delay of the chemiluminescence analyzer used.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of electrochemical nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide analyzers suitable for use during mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) is increasingly being used in the treatment of diseases characterized by hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension. To avoid complications, accurate quantitative analysis of NO and NO2 is necessary during this therapy. We evaluated the accuracy of electrochemical NO and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) analyzers suitable for use during mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We evaluated six electrochemical NO analyzer brands (Bedfont, B & W, Dräger, EIT, Pulmonox, Saan). All were calibrated and used per manufacturer's specifications. An adult mechanical ventilator was used to produce serial dilutions of NO with O2 for [NO] of 0-80 ppm. F1O2 settings of 0.90, 0.70, 0.50, 0.30, and 0.21 were used. Settings of low, moderate, and high ventilation pressures were evaluated. Gas was sampled from the inspiratory limb of the ventilator circuit using either a sidestream or mainstream technique. [NO] was also measured using a calibrated chemiluminescence analyzer. For the analyzers that measured NO2, serial dilutions of 8.5 ppm NO2 with O2 were analyzed using chemiluminescence and the electrochemical analyzers. RESULTS: Bias +/- precision for [NO] by individual devices ranged from 1.8 +/- 1.9 ppm to -1.0 +/- 0.7 ppm. There were significant differences in the bias between analyzers (P < 0.001), pressure settings (P < 0.001), and NO level (P < 0.017). The difference in bias between levels of F1O2 was not significant (P = 0.062). Bias +/- precision for NO2 ranged from 0.18 +/- 0.12 ppm to -0.14 +/- 0.13 ppm, with a significant difference between analyzers (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The bias and precision of these analyzers was acceptable for clinical use. The devices tended to be most accurate at [NO] < or = 20 ppm-the clinical conditions at which NO is most commonly used.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1997

Assessment of errors when expiratory condensate PCO2 is used as a proxy for mixed expired PCO2 during mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVES: We designed a series of experiments to determine whether expiratory water condensate (PconCO2) can be used as a proxy for mixed expired gas collection. METHODS: In 18 adult mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS (40 samples), simultaneous collections of arterial blood, expiratory water trap condensate, mixed expired gas, and minute ventilation were used to calculate VCO2 and VD/VT. To assess the effect of temperature, a constant gas flow (PCO2 10-30 mm Hg) was bubbled through water at temperatures of 19.5-37 degrees C. Gas and water samples were collected, immediately analyzed for PCO2, and a temperature correction factor was calculated. A lung model was constructed using a 5 L anesthesia bag connected to a mechanical ventilator with a heated humidifier. Temperature at the Y-piece was set to approximately 37 degrees C and CO2 was injected into the bag to establish an end-tidal PCO2 of 20-70 mm Hg. After equilibration, condensate was collected, PCO2 was measured, and the temperature-corrected PCO2 was compared to PECO2. The capnogram at points along the expiratory limb circuit was used to evaluate gas mixing. RESULTS: There was an over-estimation of PECO2 by PconCO2 (p < 0.001) for the patient data, resulting in an underestimation of VD/VT (p < 0.001) and an overestimation of VCO2 (p < 0.001). The temperature correction factor for PCO2 in water was -0.010 (about half of the factor used for whole blood). The bias between temperature-corrected PconCO2 and PECO2 was 0.3 +/- 3.2 mm Hg in the lung model. Mixing in the expiratory limb was poor, as evaluated by the capnogram. CONCLUSIONS: Even with temperature correction, we failed to precisely predict PECO2 from PconCO2. For measurement of VD/VT and VCO2, we do not recommend methods that use PconCO2.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Inaccuracies of nitric oxide delivery systems during adult mechanical ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Various systems to administer inhaled nitric oxide (NO) have been used in patients and experimental animals. We used a lung model to evaluate five NO delivery systems during mechanical ventilation with various ventilatory patterns. METHODS: An adult mechanical ventilator was attached to a test lung configured to separate inspired and expired gases. Four injection systems were evaluated with NO injected either into the inspiratory circuit 90 cm proximal to the Y piece or directly at the Y piece and delivered either continuously or only during the inspiratory phase. Alternatively, NO was mixed with air using a blender and delivered to the high-pressure air inlet of the ventilator. Nitric oxide concentration was measured from the inspiratory limb of the ventilator circuit and the tracheal level using rapid- and slow-response chemiluminescence analyzers. The ventilator was set for constant-flow volume control ventilation, pressure control ventilation, pressure support ventilation, or synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation. Tidal volumes of 0.5 l and 1 l were evaluated with inspiratory times of 1 s and 2 s. RESULTS: The system that premixed NO proximal to the ventilator was the only one that maintained constant NO delivery regardless of ventilatory pattern. The other systems delivered variable NO concentration during pressure control ventilation and spontaneous breathing modes. Systems that injected a continuous flow of NO delivered peak NO concentrations greater than the calculated dose. These variations were not apparent when a slow-response chemiluminescence analyzer was used. CONCLUSIONS: NO delivery systems that inject NO at a constant rate, either continuously or during inspiration only, into the inspiratory limb of the ventilator circuit produce highly variable and unpredictable NO delivery when inspiratory flow is not constant. Such systems may deliver a very high NO concentration to the lungs, which is not accurately reflected by measurements performed with slow-response analyzers.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Unloadiing of the work of breathing by proportional assist ventilation in a lung model.

OBJECTIVES: Proportional assist ventilation is devised to increase airway pressure in proportion to inspiratory effort. A systematic study of the performance of this new mode of ventilation has not been presented. We tested in the laboratory the capability of proportional assist ventilation to unload the work of breathing in proportion to ventilatory drive, under a variety of mechanical loads. DESIGN: During variations of "ventilatory drive" (i.e., tidal volume), unloading of the work of breathing by proportional assist ventilation was contrasted with unloading by pressure-support ventilation. SETTING: The respiratory laboratory of a university-affiliated teaching hospital. SUBJECT: A bellows-in-a-box lung model, powered by a sine wave air flow generator. INTERVENTIONS: Proportional assist and pressure-support ventilation were preset to provide comparable support at a baseline "ventilatory drive" of 0.7-L tidal volume. The set levels of proportional assist and pressure-support ventilation were subsequently applied to five tidal volumes, from 0.2 to 1.2 L. Three levels of inspiratory support and three settings of mechanical load were evaluated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Proportional assist ventilation significantly (p < .05) reduced the work of breathing of the lung model at all but the lowest tidal volume (0.2 L). The preset proportion of ventilatory support (30%, 50%, and 70%) unloaded the work of breathing uniformly as ventilatory drive was varied at tidal volumes of > or = 0.5 L, but not always at tidal volumes of < or = 0.4 L. In contrast, pressure-support ventilation overassisted low tidal volumes and underassisted high tidal volumes (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In a lung model, a prototype system delivering proportional assist ventilation provided uniform unloading of the work of breathing as the ventilatory drive was varied within a tidal volume range of 0.5 to 1.2 L. These findings confirm the theoretical modeling of proportional assist ventilation. This system, however, failed to properly unload low tidal volumes of 0.2 to 0.4 L.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

Inhaled nitric oxide in burn patients with respiratory failure.

BACKGROUND: Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) has the potential to improve ventilation/perfusion matching and decrease pulmonary artery pressure in patients with profound respiratory failure. METHODS: Eight patients, average age of 35 years (range, 2.5-77 years) and burn size 49% (range, 19-80%), with inhalation injury and respiratory failure failing conventional management (average Pao2/FiO2 ratio (PFR) 85) were given inhaled NO at 20 ppm. RESULTS: An immediate mean increase in PFR of 10% and a decrease in pulmonary artery mean pressure of 7.8% was noted. At 24 hours, the average improvement in PFR was 28% and that in pulmonary artery mean pressure was 7.7%. Although not reaching statistical significance, these changes were more pronounced in those patients who went on to survive. There was no hypotension attributed to NO administration, and maximum methemoglobin levels averaged 0.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled NO can be safely administered to selected burn patients with severe respiratory failure who are perceived to be failing conventional support. Although current data are not adequate to support its general use, an immediate and sustained improvement in PFR and pulmonary artery mean pressure may correlate with eventual recovery of pulmonary function. Continued evaluation in controlled settings seems warranted and is in progress.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1997

Recovery of diaphragmatic function in awake sheep after two approaches to thoracic surgery.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is replacing thoracotomy, but no study has addressed the extent or duration of VATS-induced diaphragmatic alteration. We hypothesized that VATS would impair diaphragmatic function less and return diaphragmatic function faster than thoracotomy. In eight sheep, sonomicrometers were randomly implanted on the right costal diaphragm via VATS or thoracotomy. Diaphragmatic resting length, shortening fraction, and respiratory function were measured weekly during quiet breathing (QB) and CO2 rebreathing for 4 wk. For VATS, shortening fraction was smallest on postoperative days 1 (POD 1) (6.4 +/- 3.4 and 12.9 +/- 8.7% during QB and 10% CO2 rebreathing, respectively) and 7 (6.3 +/- 3.4 and 16.9 +/- 4.0% during QB and 10% CO2 rebreathing, respectively) and recovered by 3 wk (13.2 +/- 1.8 and 28.9 +/- 8.0% during QB and 10% CO2 rebreathing, respectively). For thoracotomy, shortening fraction at 10% CO2 rebreathing was smaller on PODs 1, 7, 14 (15.9 +/- 7.1, 13.6 +/- 5.4, and 19.0 +/- 6.9%) than on POD 28 (29.9 +/- 8.2%), but not during QB on POD 1 or 7 (7.5 +/- 3.8 and 3.4 +/- 2.6%) compared with POD 28 (10.7 +/- 8.7%). Shortening fraction did not differ between surgeries. There was no group difference in minute ventilation, respiratory rate, transdiaphragmatic pressure, or esophageal and gastric pressures. In conclusion, although shortening fraction recovered faster for VATS, this translated into insignificant functional differences.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Performance characteristics of bilevel pressure ventilators: a lung model study.

Bilevel pressure ventilators are being used increasingly to provide noninvasive ventilatory support in the management of obstructive sleep apnea, chronic ventilatory failure, and acute respiratory failure. However, the ability of these ventilators to respond to inspiratory demand without imposing expiratory loads has not been evaluated extensively. We evaluated the performance of nine bilevel pressure ventilators in a lung model, as compared with the Nellcor Puritan-Bennett 7200ae adult critical care ventilator. All ventilators were set to provide pressure support ventilation (PSV) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) at a rate of 10 breaths/min with an inspiratory time of 1.0 s. Simulated pleural pressure, airway pressure, and flow at airway opening were continuously monitored. We studied the effects of three PSV levels (5, 10, and 15 cm H2O) with 5 cm H2O PEEP at two lung compliances (50 and 80 mL/cm H2O) and four peak inspiratory flow demands (20, 40, 60, and 80 L/min) on seven dependent variables: inspiratory delay time (D-I), inspiratory trigger pressure (P-I), inspiratory area percent (Area I%), expiratory delay time (D-E), supraplateau expiratory pressure change (P-E), expiratory area (Area E), and ventilator peak flow (VPF). Most ventilators performed as well as or significantly (p<0.05) better than the 7200ae in all studied variables. Compliance did not significantly affect ventilator performance. Increasing inspiratory flow demand significantly (p<0.05) increased D-I, P-I, P-E, and VPF and decreased Area I% with most ventilators. As ventilatory demand increased, D-E and Area E significantly (p<0.05) changed. With some units, D-E and Area E increased, while with others they decreased. Most bilevel pressure ventilators evaluated were able to respond to high ventilatory demands and outperformed the Nellcor Puritan-Bennett 7200ae ventilator.

Calibration↗
PubMed1997

Pressure vs flow triggering during pressure support ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Adult mechanical ventilators have traditionally been pressure- or time-triggered. More recently, flow triggering has become available and some adult ventilators allow the choice between pressure or flow triggering. Prior studies have supported the superiority of flow triggering during continuous positive airway pressure, but few have compared pressure and flow triggering during pressure support ventilation (PSV). The purpose of this study was to compare pressure and flow triggering during PSV in adult mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: The study population consisted of 10 adult patients ventilated with a mechanical ventilator (Nellcor-Puritan-Bennett 7200ae) in the PSV mode. In random order, we compared pressure triggering of -0.5 H2O, pressure triggering -1 cm H2O, flow triggering of 5/2 L/min, and flow triggering 10/3 L/min. Pressure was measured for 5 min at the proximal endotracheal tube using a data acquisition rate of 100 Hz. From the airway pressure signal, trigger pressure (deltaP) was defined as the difference between positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and the maximum negative deflection prior to onset of the triggered breath. Pressure-time product (PTP) was defined as the area produced by the pressure waveform below PEEP during onset of the triggered breath. Trigger time (deltaT) was defined as the time interval below PEEP during onset of the triggered breath. RESULTS: A pressure trigger of -0.5 cm H2O was significantly more sensitive than the other trigger methods for deltaP, PTP, and deltaT (p<0.001). There was also a significant difference between patients for deltaP, deltaT, and PTP for each trigger method (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: For this group of patients, flow triggering was not superior to pressure triggering at -0.5 cm H2O during PSV.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Use of nitric oxide with airway diseases.

It is clear that NO in the lung has a major role beyond the modulation of pulmonary vasculature. NO appears to be involved in both the acute and chronic inflammatory response of many pulmonary cell types, as well as being partly responsible for modulating bronchial tone via the nonadrengeric noncholinergic system. Although the application of inhaled NO for the treatment of acute alternations of bronchial tone appears promising from animal data, the use of inhaled NO in patients has failed to reverse increased bronchial tone to a clinically significant level. Albuterol has better bronchodilating properties than inhaled NO. Monitoring exhaled NO, however, can provide an indicator of both acute and chronic lung inflammation. Much more work needs to be done before the monitoring of exhaled NO in pulmonary inflammatory disease can be recommended, but the preliminary data do indicate, as proposed by others, that exhaled NO may be a useful noninvasive measure of pulmonary inflammation and disease severity.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1996

Inhaled nitric oxide. A bronchodilator in mild asthmatics with methacholine-induced bronchospasm.

Nitric oxide (NO) reduces airway tone in the methacholine-treated guinea pig. We examined whether low levels of inhaled NO gas would relax airway smooth muscle tone in patients with mild asthma subjected to methacholine-induced bronchospasm. Thirteen adult volunteers with mild asthma inspired increasing concentrations of methacholine until their baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1, 3.29 +/- 0.17 L, mean +/- SEM) decreased by > or = 20% (2.33 +/- 0.18 L, p < 0.01). Thereafter, they sequentially inhaled 100 parts per million (ppm) NO, 40% O2; 40% O2; and 100 ppm NO, 40% O2 while spirometry was performed. Subsequent inhalation of isoproterenol returned the FEV1 levels to baseline. Inhaling 100 ppm NO increased FEV1 to 2.66 +/- 0.18 L (p < 0.01), and this increase was maintained after NO was discontinued. FEV1 did not change during the second period of NO inhalation. Similar results were observed for vital capacity, but no significant effect was noted on forced expiratory flow at 25% of vital capacity or peak expiratory flow. Subjects were then divided into a responder subgroup, which showed a mean increase in FEV1 after initial NO inhalation of 560 +/- 150 ml, and a nonresponder subgroup, which showed a mean increase in FEV1 of 129 +/- 29 ml. Our data suggest that inhalation of nitric oxide by patients with mild asthma with methacholine-induced bronchospasm results in a minor but significant relaxation of airway tone.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1996

Tracheal gas insufflation-pressure control versus volume control ventilation. A lung model study.

Tracheal gas insufflation (TGI) has been recommended as an adjunct to mechanical ventilation in the presence of elevated Pa CO2. Based on our initial clinical experience with continuous flow TGI and pressure control ventilation (PCV), we were concerned about elevation in peak airway pressure as TGI was applied. In a lung model, we evaluated the effects of continuous flow TGI during both PCV and volume control ventilation (VCV). A single compartment lung model was configured with an artificial trachea into which an 8-mm endotracheal tube was positioned. TGI was established with a 16-G catheter positioned 2 cm beyond the tip of the endotracheal tube. Ventilation was provided by a Puritan-Bennett 7200ae ventilator with PCV 20 cm H2O or VCV with a tidal volume (VTt) similar to that with PCV. A rate of 15 breaths/min and PEEP of 10 cm H2O were used throughout. Inspiratory times (TI) of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 s were used with TGI of 0, 4, 8, and 12 L/min. Lung model compliance (ml/cm H2O) and resistance (cm H2O/L/s) combinations of 20/20, 20/5, and 50/20 were used. Auto-PEEP, VT, and peak alveolar and airway opening pressures increased as TGI and Ti increased, regardless of lung mechanics settings (p<0.01). All increases were greater with VCV than PCV (p<0.05). Continuous flow TGI with both PCV and VT-uncorrected VCV may result in marked increases in Vt and system pressures, especially at long TI.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1996

Medication nebulizer performance. Effects of diluent volume, nebulizer flow, and nebulizer brand.

BACKGROUND: Medication nebulizers are commonly used to delivery aerosolized medications to patients with respiratory disease. We evaluated output and respirable aerosol available to the patient (inhaled mass) for 17 medication nebulizers using a spontaneous breathing lung model. METHODS: Three nebulizer fill volumes (3, 4, and 5 mL containing 2.5 mg of albuterol) and 3 oxygen flows (6, 8, and 10 L/min) were evaluated using the 17 nebulizers. A cotton plug at the nebulizer mouthpiece was used to trap aerosol during simulated spontaneous breathing. Following each trial, the amount of albuterol remaining in the nebulizer and the amount deposited in the cotton plug were determined spectrophotometrically. Aerosol particle size was determined using an 11-stage cascade impactor. RESULTS: Increasing fill volume decreased the amount of albuterol trapped in the dead volume (p < 0.001) and increased the amount delivered to the patient (p < 0.001). Increasing flow increased the mass output of particles in the respirable range of 1 to 5 microns (p = 0.004), but the respirable mass delivered to the patient was affected to a greater extent by nebulizer brand (p < 0.001) than flow. Although 2.5 mg of albuterol was placed into the nebulizers, less than 0.5 mg in the respirable range of 1 to 5 microns was delivered to the mouthpiece. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of medication nebulizers is affected by fill volume, flow, and nebulizer brand. When they are used for research applications, the nebulizer characteristics must be evaluated and reported for the conditions used in the investigation.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1996

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. Equipment and techniques.

Successful application of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation is largely dependent on available equipment and the approaches used to apply it. Third-generation intensive care unit ventilators and portable volume and pressure ventilators may be used for noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. A variety of facial interfaces currently are manufactured, and all should be available. A well-trained therapist with available time is the final ingredient for successful use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation.

Equipment Design↗