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Research ArticleOriginal Contributions

A Laboratory Evaluation of 2 Mechanical Ventilators in the Presence of Helium-Oxygen Mixtures

Melissa K Brown and David C Willms
Respiratory Care March 2005, 50 (3) 354-360;
Melissa K Brown
Respiratory Therapy Program, Department of Health Sciences, Grossmont Community College, El Cajon, California, and with the Chest Medicine and Critical Care Medical Group, Pulmonary Department, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California.
RRT-NPS
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  • For correspondence: [email protected]
David C Willms
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California.
MD
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Helium-oxygen (heliox) mixtures are being used more frequently with mechanical ventilators. Newer ventilators continue to be developed that have not yet been evaluated for safety and efficacy of heliox delivery. We studied the performance of 2 previously untested ventilators (Servo-i and Inspiration) during heliox administration.

METHODS: We measured tidal volume (VT) delivery, gas blending, gas analyzing, and pressure stability in the presence of heliox. A heliox (80% helium/20% oxygen) tank was attached to the 50-psi air inlet. We compared the set VT (ie, set on the ventilator) and the exhaled VT (measured by the ventilator) to the delivered VT (measured with a lung model). Pressure measurements were also evaluated. We also compared the ventilator-setting fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) to the FIO2 measured by the ventilator and the FIO2 measured with a supplemental oxygen analyzer.

RESULTS: Heliox significantly affected both the exhaled VT measurement and the actual delivered VT (p < 0.001) with both the Servo-i and the Inspiration. Neither peak inspiratory pressure (in the pressure-controlled ventilation mode) nor positive end-expiratory pressure were adversely affected by heliox with either ventilator. Introducing heliox into the gas-blending systems caused only a small error in FIO2 delivery and monitoring.

CONCLUSIONS: Both ventilators cycled consistently with heliox mixtures. In most cases, actual delivered VT can be reliably calculated if the FIO2 and the set VT or the measured exhaled VT is known. With the Servo-i, at high helium concentrations the exhaled VT measurement was unreliable and caused a high-priority alarm condition that couldn't be disabled. A supplemental oxygen analyzer is not necessary with either device for heliox applications.

  • helium
  • heliox
  • tidal volume
  • mechanical ventilation

Footnotes

  • Correspondence: Melissa K Brown RRT-NPS, Chest Medicine and Critical Care Medical Group, Pulmonary Department, 4th Floor, Sharp Memorial Hospital, 7901 Frost Street, San Diego CA 92123. E-mail: mbrown20{at}cox.net.
  • Copyright © 2005 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.
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Respiratory Care: 50 (3)
Respiratory Care
Vol. 50, Issue 3
1 Mar 2005
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A Laboratory Evaluation of 2 Mechanical Ventilators in the Presence of Helium-Oxygen Mixtures
Melissa K Brown, David C Willms
Respiratory Care Mar 2005, 50 (3) 354-360;

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A Laboratory Evaluation of 2 Mechanical Ventilators in the Presence of Helium-Oxygen Mixtures
Melissa K Brown, David C Willms
Respiratory Care Mar 2005, 50 (3) 354-360;
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Keywords

  • helium
  • heliox
  • tidal volume
  • mechanical ventilation

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