Abstract
In addition to improving gas exchange by mechanical ventilation, minimizing iatrogenic lung injury and making the patient comfortable are important goals. This article reviews advanced ventilator modes and techniques that might help to accomplish these goals. Small tidal volumes (VT) and low ventilation pressure minimize ventilator-induced lung injury. Airway pressure release ventilation and high-frequency oscillatory ventilation may provide lung-protective ventilation in certain patients with refractory hypoxemia. Adaptive support ventilation (ASV) automatically adjusts VT and rate on the basis of the patient's respiratory mechanics to provide "safe" settings. When ventilator output does not match patient respiratory center timing, patient-ventilator asynchrony occurs. Proportional assist ventilation and neutrally adjusted ventilatory assist are unique modes of ventilation that provide ventilatory support in direct proportion to patient effort and therefore may be able to better match patient need and improve comfort. Weaning protocols reduce duration of ventilation and intensive care unit stay. Certain ventilator modes purport to automate part of the ventilator discontinuance process. The ASV progressively reduces support as the patient's lung condition improves, while SmartCare/pressure support (Drager, Lubeck, Germany) reduces support and then initiates a spontaneous breathing trial. Further research is required to determine the proper place these new modes have in the intensive care unit.