Optimum PEEP selection using a desk top computer

Considering the problem of the selection of an optimum end-expiratory pressure level in mechanically ventilated intensive care patients suffering from acute respiratory insufficiency a procedure is presented for the display of the physiological response to various end-expiratory pressures using an HP 9845 desk top computer. The response is generated as an interpolated curve using natural cubic spline functions. The method was applied in 15 intensive care patients. For any patient a proposed best level of end-expiratory pressure is obtained; moreover, the display allows an insight into the occurring physiological changes. This is completed by an estimation of the extent of the beneficial effect in individual cases.