Are home ventilators able to guarantee a minimal tidal volume?
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the ability of home ventilators to maintain a minimal tidal volume during different conditions associated with alveolar hypoventilation. DESIGN: Bench evaluation coupled with an in vivo study on two healthy subjects. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital and research unit. INTERVENTIONS: Six ventilators having a “volume guarantee” module (Synchrony II, Philips Respironics; Vivo 40, Breas; Legendair, Airox; Elisee 150, Philips Respironics; Ventimotion, Weinmann; and VS III, Resmed) were tested on a lung bench in a baseline condition and in three conditions associated with alveolar hypoventilation: increase in airway resistance, decrease in lung compliance, and non-intentional leaks. An in vivo study completed the bench study for the non-intentional leak condition. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The six ventilators were able to maintain a minimal tidal volume during an increase in airway resistance and a decrease in lung compliance. The maintena
