Intratracheal pressure monitoring during synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation and pressure controlled-inverse ratio ventilation

OBJECTIVES To directly measure airway pressures proximal and distal to endotracheal tubes during conventional synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) and pressure controlled-inverse ratio ventilation (PC-IRV), and to compare them with these values measured by the ventilator. DESIGN Prospective, nonrandomized study. SETTING Surgical intensive care unit at a trauma center. PATIENTS Group 1Eight intubated adult patients connected to mechanical ventilators in the SIMV mode were studied. All patients required mechanical ventilation following traumatic injuries. Group 2Five intubated adult patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome connected to mechanical ventilators were studied. INTERVENTIONS A small polyethylene catheter was threaded through each endotracheal tube such that it could be positioned to measure pressures proximal and distal to the tubes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS During SIMV, a significant pressure gradient exists across endotracheal tubes. In addition, although initiation of PC-IRV did lead to a lower peak airway pressure measured proximally, intratracheal peak airway pressure was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS A pressure gradient exists during inspiration from the ventilator to the trachea in mechanically ventilated patients. Tracheal pressures cannot be predicted from proximal airway pressure monitors because of marked variation in endotracheal tube resistance in vivo. Initiation of PC-IRV does not result in a decrease in peak airway pressure when measured intratracheally. (Crit Care Med 1997; 25:227-230)