Accuracy of tidal volume delivery by paediatric intensive care ventilators: A bench-model study

Tidal volume (Vt) delivery during mechanical ventilation is influenced by gas compression, humidity, and temperature.

This bench study aimed at assessing the accuracy of Vt delivery by paediatric intensive care ventilators according to the humidification system. Secondary objectives were to assess the following: (i) the accuracy of Vt delivery in ventilators with an integrated Y-piece pneumotachograph and (ii) the ability of ventilators to deliver and maintain a preset positive end-expiratory pressure.

Six latest-generation intensive care ventilators equipped with a paediatric mode were tested on the ASL5000 test lung in four simulated paediatric bench models (full-term neonate, infant, preschool-age chile, and school-age child), under volume-controlled mode with a heated humidifier (HH) or a heat moisture exchanger, with various loading conditions. Three ventilators equipped with a Y-piece pneumotachograph were tested with or without the pneumotachograph in the neonatal and infant models. "Accurate Vt" delivery was defined as a volume error (percentage of the preset Vt under body temperature and pressure and saturated water vapour conditions) being ≤10 % of the absolute preset value.

Vt accuracy varied significantly across ventilators but was acceptable in almost all the ventilators and all the models, except the neonatal model. The humidification system had an impact on Vt delivery in the majority of the tested conditions (p < 0.05). The use of an HH was associated with a better Vt accuracy in four ventilators (V500, V800, R860, and ServoU) and allowed to achieve an acceptable level of volume error in the neonatal model as compared to the use of heat moisture exchanger. The use of an integrated pneumotachograph was associated with lower volume error in only one ventilator (p < 0.01). All the tested ventilators were able to maintain adequate positive end-expiratory pressure levels.

The humidification system affects Vt accuracy of paediatric intensive care ventilators, especially in the youngest patients for whom the HH should be preferred.