Bench assessment of PC-CMVs modes in transport and emergency ventilators under ICU conditions.

Although there has been an increase in bench test evaluation of mechanical ventilators in recent years, a publication gap remains in assessing Pressure Control Continuous Mandatory Ventilation Modes with a set point targeting scheme PC-CMVs. This study evaluates the operational variability in PC-CMVs of eleven transport and emergency ventilators used in ICU units in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. The assessment involved a comprehensive set of test scenarios derived from existing literature and the NBR ISO 80601-2-12:2014 standard. Nine parameters were computed for five consecutive breaths, offering a comprehensive characterization of pressure and flow waveforms. Most ventilators had Inspiratory pressure and PEEP values that fell outside of the tolerance ranges. Notably, three mechanical ventilators failed to reach the target pressures within the specified inspiratory times during test scenarios with a higher time constant (τ). We observed significant differences among emergency and transport ventilators in all assessed parameters, indicating a performance difference in PC-CMVs modes. The current results might help clinicians determine which ventilator models are suitable for specific clinical situations, particularly when unfavorable circumstances compel doctors to use ventilators that may not provide adequate support for patients in intensive care units.

Effects of elastic tape on thoracoabdominal mechanics, dyspnea, exercise capacity, and physical activity level in nonobese male subjects with COPD.

Subjects with severe and very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present thoracoabdominal asynchrony (TAA) that reduces ventilatory efficiency and exercise capacity. However, no therapeutic intervention has focused on reducing TAA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of elastic tape (ET) on thoracoabdominal mechanics, dyspnea symptoms, exercise capacity, and physical activity level in nonobese male subjects with severe-to-very severe COPD. This crossover, randomized trial included nonobese males with severe to very severe COPD. ET was placed on the chest wall and abdomen to reduce TAA. Subjects were evaluated at three hospital visits, each 7 days apart. At visit 1, thoracoabdominal kinematic and pulmonary ventilation were evaluated by optoelectronic plethysmography and electrical impedance tomography, respectively, both at rest and during isoload exercise testing. At visit 2, a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET; 10 W/min) was performed until exhaustion. Between the visits, subjects used a physical activity monitor (PAM) (at least 5 days of measurement; 10 h/day). At visit 3, all the tests were repeated in the opposite order of the previous randomization. During the isoload exercise, subjects with ET presented lower tidal and minute volumes (P = 0.01) and reduced TAA (P = 0.02) and dyspnea (P = 0.04). During the CPET, subjects with ET presented an increase in peak oxygen consumption (V̇o2peak; L/min and mL·kg-1·min-1; P = 0.01), test duration (P = 0.009), and maximal load (P = 0.03). Moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which was evaluated by the PAM, was also increased in subjects with ET (P = 0.01). ET reduced TAA and dyspnea and increased exercise capacity and the duration of MVPA in nonobese male subjects with severe-to-very severe COPDNEW & NOTEWORTHY Elastic tape can be used as a new and low-cost intervention to reduce thoracoabdominal asynchrony and sedentary behavior as well as improve exercise capacity and physical activity level in nonobese male subjects with severe-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.