[Adjustment of synchronized intermittent ventilation with the Drager Company's SIMV Pulmolog]

When choosing an IMV frequency in a respirator, the aim should be to guarantee a minimum of ventilation. With most respirators the "time-window" for the synchronisation of the mandatory stroke volume is within the ventilatory cycle. Thus, the IMV frequency corresponds to the adjusted minimum mechanical ventilation frequency and can be increased only by the patient's spontaneous breathing activity. With the Dräger "Pulmolog", however, the spontaneous breathing phase--not the ventilatory cycle--is already determined by choosing the IMV frequency. This difference is most important for daily clinical practice, as the minimum IMV frequency may be below the adjusted one. The manufacturer has reacted by changing the data on the manufacturer's label.