Ali Al-Khafaji1, Harold L Manning. 1. Department of Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the phenomenon of inappropriate triggering caused by an in-line suction catheter. DESIGN: We used a test lung to assess inappropriate triggering in four ventilators with both pressure and flow triggering. RESULTS: With pressure triggering, inappropriate triggering occurred only in the presence of PEEP. However, with flow triggering, inappropriate triggering occurred both with and without PEEP. Inappropriate triggering did not occur in a model of severe airflow obstruction. CONCLUSION: In-line suction catheters may lead to inappropriate triggering and potentially dangerous increases in delivered ventilation.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the phenomenon of inappropriate triggering caused by an in-line suction catheter. DESIGN: We used a test lung to assess inappropriate triggering in four ventilators with both pressure and flow triggering. RESULTS: With pressure triggering, inappropriate triggering occurred only in the presence of PEEP. However, with flow triggering, inappropriate triggering occurred both with and without PEEP. Inappropriate triggering did not occur in a model of severe airflow obstruction. CONCLUSION: In-line suction catheters may lead to inappropriate triggering and potentially dangerous increases in delivered ventilation.