Correction of Patient-Ventilator Discordance

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Respiratory Therapy

Background:

• Patient-ventilator interaction is key in mechanical ventilation.
• Disruptions cause patient-ventilator discordance, a mismatch in breathing.
• Asynchrony, including trigger, flow, and cycle types, characterizes this discordance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of optimizing patient-ventilator interaction.
• To define patient-ventilator discordance and its types (asynchronies).
• To emphasize the need for prompt identification and correction of asynchronies and ventilator-related dyspnea.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical concepts related to patient-ventilator interaction.
• Definition and categorization of patient-ventilator discordance and asynchronies.
• Discussion of ventilator-related dyspnea in mechanically ventilated patients.

Main Results:

• Patient-ventilator discordance arises from mismatches in breath delivery.
• Asynchronies (trigger, flow, cycle) are specific types of discordance.
• Ventilator-related dyspnea is often unrecognized but vital to manage.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing patient-ventilator interaction is essential for clinicians.
• Promptly identifying and correcting asynchronies can prevent adverse outcomes.
• Managing ventilator-related dyspnea is critical for patient well-being.