Model-Based Ventilator Settings in Pressure Controlled Ventilation

Mathematical models of respiratory mechanics can be used to optimize ventilatory settings. This paper presents an approach to calculate patient-specific ventilator settings during pressure controlled ventilation. The proposed algorithm identifies the 1st Order Model of respiratory mechanics and calculates ventilator settings that provide a defined alveolar minute ventilation with minimal inspiration pressure and allow sufficient expiration time to avoid the build-up of intrinisic PEEP. The results can also be used to visualize the nonlinear relation of ventilation parameters. Retrospective comparison of calculated ventilator settings in clinical data indicated high concordance to clinically optimized ventilator settings. The proposed algorithm and visualization uncovers the nonlinear interaction of ventilation parameters and supports the determination of individualized ventilator settings. The algorithm minimzes inspiration pressure necessary to achieve a predefined minute ventilation, which may be a useful approach in optimizing lungprotective ventilation.