Effectiveness, safety and efficacy of INTELLiVENT-adaptive support ventilation, a closed-loop ventilation mode for use in ICU patients - a systematic review.

Introduction: INTELLiVENT-Adaptive Support Ventilation (INTELLiVENT-ASV), an advanced closed-loop ventilation mode for use in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, is equipped with algorithms that automatically adjust settings on the basis of physiologic signals and patient's activity. Here we describe its effectiveness, safety, and efficacy in various types of ICU patients.Areas covered: A systematic search conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and in Google Scholar identified 10 randomized clinical trials.Expert opinion: Studies suggest INTELLiVENT-ASV to be an effective automated mode with regard to the titrations of tidal volume, airway pressure, and oxygen. INTELLiVENT-ASV is as safe as conventional modes. However, thus far studies have not shown INTELLiVENT-ASV to be superior to conventional modes with regard to duration of ventilation and other patient-centered outcomes. Future studies are needed to test its efficacy.

Acenocoumarol as a risk factor for calciphylaxis: a feature clinicians should be aware of.

In contrast with uraemic calciphylaxis in end-stage renal disease, causes of and risk factors for non-uraemic calciphylaxis are relatively unknown to clinicians and have yet to become fully established. This report describes a case of non-uraemic calciphylaxis, in which the use of acenocoumarol might have been a risk factor. It is important to raise awareness about this association among clinicians, as vitamin K antagonists have to be stopped for an optimal treatment of this severe condition.

Current practice of closed-loop mechanical ventilation modes on intensive care units - a nationwide survey in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: The most recent modes for mechanical ventilation are closed-loop modes, which are able to automatically adjust certain respiratory settings. Although closed-loop modes have been investigated in various clinical trials, it is unclear to what extent these modes are actually used in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine closed-loop ventilation practice on intensive care units (ICUs) in the Netherlands, and to explore reasons for not applying closed-loop ventilation. Our hypothesis was that closed-loop ventilation is increasingly used. METHODS: A short survey was conducted among all non-paediatric ICUs in the Netherlands. Use of closed-loop modes was classified as frequently, occasionally or never, if respondents stated they had used these modes in the last week, in the last month/year, or never, respectively. RESULTS: The response rate of the survey was 82% (72 of 88). Respondents had access to a closed-loop ventilation mode in 58% of the ICUs (42 of 72). Of these ICUs, 43% (18 of 42) frequently applied a closed-loop ventilation mode, while 57% (24 of 42) never or occasionally used it. Reasons for not using these modes were lack of knowledge (40%), insufficient evidence reporting a beneficial effect (35%) and lack of confidence (25%). CONCLUSION: This study does not support our hypothesis that closed-loop ventilation is increasingly used in the Dutch ICU setting. While industry continues to develop new closed-loop modes, implementation of these modes in clinical practice seems to encounter difficulties. Various barriers could play a role, and these all need attention in future investigations.