[Intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) -- a new method in the treatment of severe respiratory insufficiency (author's transl)]

The intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) is a new method of ventilatory support developed in the USA. It allows the patient to breathe spontaneously as desired and also delivers a mechanical hyperinflation at regular preset intervals. IMV is especially effective in cases of severe respiratory insufficiency after conservative management as well as assisted ventilation have failed and helps avoiding the disadvantages of controlled mechanical ventilation. IMV fully utilises and assists the existing though insufficient spontaneous respiration which is integrated into the total ventilation. Patient acceptance and cooperation has been excellent and their weaning from respirator has been facilitated by a gradual reduction of the hyperinflation. Two cases are reported to illustrate technical details and the practical use of the method followed by a discussion of its advantages and indication.