Open Access Research

A pilot prospective study on closed loop controlled ventilation and oxygenation in ventilated children during the weaning phase

Philippe Jouvet1,2*, Allen Eddington1, Valérie Payen1, Alice Bordessoule1, Guillaume Emeriaud1,2, Ricardo L Gasco3 and Marc Wysocki2

Author Affiliations

1 Pediatric intensive Care Unit, Sainte-Justine Hospital, 3175 Chemin Côte Sainte Catherine, Montreal H3T 1C5, Canada

2 Research Center, Sainte-Justine Hospital, 3175 Chemin Côte Sainte Catherine, Montreal H3T 1C5, Canada

3 R&D Department, Hamilton Medical, 4 Engelstrasse, Wädenswil, 8820 Switzerland

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Critical Care 2012, 16:R85 doi:10.1186/cc11343

Published: 16 May 2012

Abstract

Introduction

The present study is a pilot prospective safety evaluation of a new closed loop computerised protocol on ventilation and oxygenation in stable, spontaneously breathing children weighing more than 7 kg, during the weaning phase of mechanical ventilation.

Methods

Mechanically ventilated children ready to start the weaning process were ventilated for five periods of 60 minutes in the following order: pressure support ventilation, adaptive support ventilation (ASV), ASV plus a ventilation controller (ASV-CO2), ASV-CO2 plus an oxygenation controller (ASV-CO2-O2) and pressure support ventilation again. Based on breath-by-breath analysis, the percentage of time with normal ventilation as defined by a respiratory rate between 10 and 40 breaths/minute, tidal volume > 5 ml/kg predicted body weight and end-tidal CO2 between 25 and 55 mmHg was determined. The number of manipulations and changes on the ventilator were also recorded.

Results

Fifteen children, median aged 45 months, were investigated. No adverse event and no premature protocol termination were reported. ASV-CO2 and ASV-CO2-O2 kept the patients within normal ventilation for, respectively, 94% (91 to 96%) and 94% (87 to 96%) of the time. The tidal volume, respiratory rate, peak inspiratory airway pressure and minute ventilation were equivalent for all modalities, although there were more automatic setting changes in ASV-CO2 and ASV-CO2-O2. Positive end-expiratory pressure modifications by ASV-CO2-O2 require further investigation.

Conclusion

Over the short study period and in this specific population, ASV-CO2 and ASV-CO2-O2 were safe and kept the patient under normal ventilation most of the time. Further research is needed, especially for positive end-expiratory pressure modifications by ASV-CO2-O2.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01095406