[Anesthesia and intensive care ventilators: differences and usability in COVID-19 patients]

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Respiratory Therapy
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presents significant challenges, including potential shortages of intensive care ventilators.
• Healthcare professionals may lack awareness regarding the use of alternative ventilators in critical care settings.
• Uncertainty exists about the applicability of non-intensive care ventilators for patients with severe respiratory compromise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the conceptual and technical distinctions between various mechanical ventilator types.
• To inform clinicians about the capabilities and limitations of alternative ventilation devices during critical care scenarios.
• To address the safe and effective use of different ventilators in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Review of technical specifications and operational modes of intensive care ventilators.
• Analysis of modern anesthesia machines for their suitability in intensive care settings.
• Evaluation of transport ventilators, including their limitations and intended use.
• Discussion of unconventional ventilation methods and their contraindications.

Main Results:

• Intensive care ventilators are designed for complex lung mechanics, while anesthesia machines offer comparable modes but require careful management.
• Transport ventilators are primarily for short-term use with 100% oxygen and are not suitable for general intensive care.
• Unconventional methods like "ventilator-splitting" are not recommended due to safety concerns.
• Significant conceptual and technical differences exist across ventilator types, necessitating specialized knowledge.

Conclusions:

• Clinicians must understand the specific capabilities and limitations of each ventilator type to ensure patient safety.
• Anesthesia machines can serve as alternatives in intensive care but demand close monitoring and trained staff.
• Transport ventilators have specific, limited applications and are not interchangeable with intensive care units.
• Evidence-based understanding of mechanical ventilation is vital for managing respiratory failure during pandemics.