Noninvasive pressure support versus proportional assist ventilation in acute respiratory failure.

Background: Although conventional pressure ventilation (PSV) decreases the rate of intubation in acute respiratory failure, patient-ventilator dyssynchrony is a frequent cause of failure. In proportional assist ventilation (PAV), pressure is applied by the ventilator in proportion to the patient-generated volume and flow; therefore, there is automatic synchrony between the patient's effort and the ventilatory cycle.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of PSV and PAV during noninvasive ventilation in the treatment of acute respiratory failure.