Patient–Ventilator Synchrony
Presented by John Davies
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Sedation is often used to facilitate appropriate interaction between the ventilator and patient. However, graphic analysis is an underused tool that could help the clinician optimize patient–ventilator synchrony. The goal of this course is to help respiratory therapists accurately identify patient–ventilator synchrony issues, as well as obtain strategies to alleviate various dyssynchronies.
Meet your instructor
John Davies
John Davies is a clinical research coordinator in the field of adult critical care at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. He has worked at Duke for 30 years. John is one of the co-chairs of the Mechanical Ventilation Simulation Committee for the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) along with Dr.…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Importance of Patient–Ventilator Synchrony
If the communication between the patient and the ventilator is not optimal (dyssynchrony), there can be insufficient unloading of the patient’s respiratory muscles. There are variables related to the patient and variables related to the ventilator that can have an effect on synchrony.
2. Identification of Synchrony Issues Through Graphic Analysis
The first step in optimizing synchrony is identifying synchrony issues. These issues generally occur at three different sites in the respiratory cycle. These include the trigger, the flow, and the cycle to exhalation.
3. Discuss Strategies to Optimize Synchrony
Once dyssynchrony is identified, measures can be taken to alleviate it. Strategies include optimizing the trigger phase, optimizing the flow phase, and optimizing the cycle phase.
4. Frequency and New Modes to Consider
In an effort to further optimize patient–ventilator synchrony, two newer modes have been designed. These include proportional assist ventilation and neurally adjusted ventilatory assist.
