[Long-term use of asynchronous independent lung ventilation: effects on gas exchange and hemodynamics]

In three patients with respiratory insufficiency where conventional respiratory methods failed, PEEP, rate of breathing, and total volume were adjusted independently for each lung up to a period of 13 days, using two respirators and a double-lumen tube. In all patients a marked increase in PaO2 was achieved without any noticeable detrimental haemodynamic effects. We conclude that asynchronous independent lung ventilators can be a safe and useful respiratory method in carefully selected patients suffering from predominantly unilateral pulmonary disease in whom conventional respiration methods have failed; that synchronisation of the respiratory circuits is not necessary; and that AILV compared to SILV offers the advantage of greater flexibility and reduced complexity.