Measurement of respiratory mechanics using the Siemens Servo Ventilator 900C

The interrupter technique involves measuring the pressure changes at the airway opening during sudden cessation of flow and has been advocated for monitoring respiratory mechanics in artificially ventilated patients. The Siemens Servo Ventilator 900C has the ability to make airway occlusions without interrupting the patient's respiratory support. This study was performed to determine the suitability of the end-inspiratory occlusion facility of the ventilator for interrupter measurements of respiratory resistance and compliance. Measurements were made in a physical model of the respiratory system consisting of two parallel compartments, whose individual resistances and elastances were independently determined. The accuracy of the resistance measurements made using the ventilator were found to be dependent on the inspiratory flow. With an inspiratory flow of 100 ml/s, the resistance of the system could be measured to within 18% of the true value, and the static compliance could be measured to within 26% of the true value. Much of the error in these determinations was due to the finite closure time of the valve in the ventilator, and to the compliance of the gas in the tubing connecting the ventilator with the model. We conclude that the Siemens Servo Ventilator 900C can be used to conveniently obtain estimates of resistance and compliance in ventilated patients.