Correlation between the %MinVol setting and work of breathing during adaptive support ventilation in patients with respiratory failure.

Background: Adaptive support ventilation (ASV) is a new mode of mechanical ventilation that seeks an optimal breathing pattern based on the minimum work of breathing (WOB) principle. The operator's manual for the ventilators that provide ASV recommends that the %MinVol setting be started at 100% (the 100%MinVol setting), but it is unclear whether that setting reduces WOB in patients with respiratory failure.

Methods: We studied 22 hemodynamically stable patients with respiratory failure who were on pressure-support ventilation.