Delivery of average assured pressure support (AVAPS) through tracheostomy in paediatric patients.

Average volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS) mode has been available since 2009 and allows the ventilator to deliver a constant pre-set tidal volume by automatically adjusting the inspiratory pressures within a set range. Data in AVAPS mode use is limited in both paediatric populations, and in patients who are ventilated through a tracheostomy. This case series reports on the successful use of AVAPS mode in four paediatric patients with tracheostomy ventilation.

Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure and its management on the acute medical take.

Acute hypercapnic respiratory failure accounts for 50 000 hospital admissions each year in the UK. This article discusses the pathophysiology and common causes of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure, and provides practical considerations for patient management in acute medical settings. Non-invasive ventilation for persistent acute hypercapnic respiratory failure is widely recognised to improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality. National audits highlight a need to improve patients' overall care and outcomes through appropriate patient selection and treatment initiation. Multidisciplinary involvement is essential, as this underpins inpatient care and follow up after hospital discharge. New non-invasive ventilation modalities may offer better patient comfort and compensate better for sleep-related changes in respiratory mechanics. Emerging therapies, such as nasal high flow, may offer an alternative treatment approach in those who cannot tolerate non-invasive ventilation, but more research is required to completely understand its effectiveness in treating acute hypercapnic respiratory failure.

Effect of anticoagulation combined with average volumeassuredpressuresupporton acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with type Ⅱrespiratory failure / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:to investigate the therapeutic effect of low molecular weight heparin combined with average volumeassuredpressuresupport (AVAPS) on patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) complicated with type Ⅱ respiratory failure.Methods:A total of 82 patients with AECOPD combined with type Ⅱ respiratory failure in the Second People′s Hospital of Xindu District of Chengdu from February 2018 to April 2020 were selected as the research objects, and they were randomly divided into two groups with 41 cases in each group. The control group was given AVAPS mode, and the observation group was given low molecular weight heparin combined with AVAPS mode. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2), arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), and forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1), maximum peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-α), 16 kDa Clara cell protein (CC16), surfactant protein D(SP-D), adiponectin (APN), superoxide dismutase (SOD), D-dimer, fibrinogen before and after treatment were compared between the two groups and the incidence of adverse reactions were observed. Results:After treatment, the levels of FEV 1, FVC, PEF, PaO 2 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group: (1.78 ± 0.29) L vs. (1.47 ± 0.25) L, (2.47 ± 0.29) L vs.(2.20 ± 0.25) L, (5.14 ± 0.37) ml/s vs. (4.69 ± 0.35) ml/s, (88.37 ± 10.52) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) vs. (80.16 ± 9.87) mmHg; and the level of PaCO 2 was lower than that in the control group: (65.07 ± 6.71) mmHg vs. (70.84 ± 6.50) mmHg; and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in the observation group were lower than those in the control group: (0.47 ± 0.09) ng/L vs. (0.58 ± 0.10) ng/L, (64.37 ± 7.25) ng/L vs. (88.24 ± 8.34) ng/L, (45.37 ± 4.63) ng/L vs. (66.31 ± 4.92) ng/L; and the levels of SOD and APN were higher than those in the control group: (92.37 ± 10.85) U/mg vs. (76.13 ± 9.84) U/mg, (13.94 ± 0.76) mg/L vs. (11.58 ± 1.21) mg/L; and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). After treatment, the level of CC16 in the observation group was higher than that in the control group: (114.78 ± 12.15) μg/L vs. (107.41 ± 11.06) μg/L; while the levels of SP-D, D-dimer and FIB were lower than those in the control group: (93.24 ± 9.85) μg/L vs. (103.25 ± 10.78) μg/L, (0.58 ± 0.07) mg/L vs. (0.79 ± 0.11) mg/L, (1.98 ± 0.29) g/L vs. (2.56 ± 0.34) g/L; and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Low-molecular-weight heparin combined with AVAPS mode in the treatment of AECOPD complicated with type Ⅱ respiratory failure can significantly improve the lung inflammation and coagulation function in patients, adjust blood gas analysis and CC16, SP-D levels, and promote the recovery of patients′ lung function.

Non-invasive home ventilation using the average volume assured pressure support feature in an infant with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and chronic respiratory failure.

INTRODUCTION: While majority of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) can be discharged home without low flow oxygen or on supplemental low flow oxygen, some require long term home mechanical ventilation. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of an extremely premature infant with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia who was successfully managed at home on a new feature of non-invasive ventilation called average volume assured pressure support (AVAPS) without the need for tracheostomy. The AVAPS feature enables the machine to deliver a consistent tidal volume by automatically adjusting the inspiratory pressure within a set range. CONCLUSION: The use of AVAPS feature in our case improved ventilation as indicated by a more stable gas exchange profile, making home non-invasive ventilation a more practicable method of managing severe BPD in this infant.

Nasal mask average volume-assured pressure support in an infant with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome.

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a rare disorder characterized by alveolar hypoventilation and autonomic dysregulation secondary to mutations of the PHOX 2B genes. Treatment consists of assisted ventilation using positive pressure ventilators via tracheostomy, bi-level positive airway pressure (BPAP), negative pressure ventilators, or diaphragm pacing. Previous case reports have highlighted early use of nasal non-invasive BPAP use in infants with CCHS. We present a case of a 10-month-old infant who was successfully managed on a new feature of non-invasive ventilation called average volume assured pressure support (AVAPS) without the need for tracheostomy. The AVAPS feature enables the machine to automatically adjust the inspiratory pressures to deliver a constant targeted tidal volume. This feature enabled a better control of ventilation as indicated by a more stable transcutaneous carbon dioxide profile compared to conventional nasal non-invasive BPAP, making non-invasive ventilation a more accessible method of managing sleep hypoventilation in CCHS.

Comparing the effects and compliance between volume-assured and pressure support non-invasive ventilation in patients with chronic respiratory failure.

INTRODUCTION: Standard bi-level non-invasive ventilation with fixed-level pressure support (PS) delivery may not maintain ventilation during the changes in pulmonary mechanics that occur throughout day and night, so average volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS) modes that target a preset volume by adjustment of PS may be effective. OBJECTIVE: Our meta-analysis wants to compare AVAPS and pressure support non-invasive ventilation (PS-NIV) regarding arterial blood gases (ABGs), sleep efficiency and compliance. METHOD: Relevant publications indexed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and VIPI were identified. Appropriate articles identified from the reference lists of the above searches were also reviewed. We included randomized controlled trials involved the use of AVAPS and PS-NIV ventilation for chronic respiratory failure. Each included study weighted mean differences, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for continuous outcomes. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 value ≤ 50% were considered as no statistical heterogeneity and used fixed effects model. Otherwise, a random effects model was used. RESULTS: Eight trials were eligible. No significant difference was observed between AVAPS and PS-NIV groups to compare PaCO2 (OR -0.97, CI-2.54-0.61, P = 0.23) and PaO2 (OR -1.81, CI-4.29-0.67, P = 0.15) in ABGs. There was no significant difference between the two groups with sleep efficiency (OR -3.31, CI-7.58-0.95, P = 0.13) and visual analog scale (OR 0.32, CI-6.97-7.61, P = 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: The evidence shows there is no significant difference in clinical outcomes when comparing AVAPS and PS-NIV used for chronic respiratory failure patients.

Practical Implementation of a Single-Night Split-Titration Protocol With BPAP-ST and AVAPS in Patients With Neuromuscular Disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: At the sleep laboratory, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation titration protocols in patients with neuromuscular disease (NMD) are based on standard pressure cycle devices in a spontaneous/timed mode (BPAP-ST). Experience integrating protocols on average volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS) mode is limited, prompting us to develop a practical single-night titration protocol that provides information to assist clinicians and patients as they decide between BPAP-ST and AVAPS modes. METHODS: We implemented a sequential titration protocol of BPAP-ST followed by AVAPS during a single-night polysomnography study in patients with NMD and reported polysomnographic and clinical metrics. RESULTS: There were 27 patients who completed the protocol: 14 (52%) were male with median and interquartile range (IQR) 64 (59 to 70) years of age and body mass index of 29.6 (25.6-32) kg/m2. They had median (IQR) maximal percent predicted inspiratory and expiratory pressures, and percent vital capacity of 33 (24 to 54), 34 (22 to 47) and 60 (47 to 74), respectively. At final titration of each device, average tidal volume and nadir non-rapid eye movement sleep oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) were higher and respiratory rate/tidal volume, transcutaneous CO2, and arousal index were lower on AVAPS (P < .05) in comparison with BPAP-ST. Full face mask was used in 23 patients (85%). None of the other ventilatory or sleep parameters differed significantly between BPAP-ST and AVAPS (P > .05) sessions. CONCLUSIONS: A practical single-night split-titration protocol with BPAP-ST and AVAPS can successfully be implemented in patients with NMD, assisting clinicians and patients with the decision on initial treatment modalities and settings.

Reliability of Tidal Volume in Average Volume Assured Pressure Support Mode.

BACKGROUND: Remote monitoring is increasingly used in patients who receive home mechanical ventilation. The average volume assured pressure support mode is a target volume pressure preset mode that delivers a given tidal volume (VT) within a range of controlled inspiratory pressures. In a mode such as this, it is important to verify that the VT value retrieved from the ventilator SD card is accurate. METHODS: A lung model was set with C (Compliance) 0.075 L/cm H2O and RI (Inspiratory resistance)-RE (Expiratory resistance) 15-25 cm H2O/L/s (model 1) or with C 0.050 L/cm H2O and RI 6 cm H2O/L/s (model 2) and 6 cm H2O effort. Three home-care ventilators (A40, PrismaST30, and Vivo40) were set to average volume assured pressure support mode with 0.3 and 0.6 L VT each at PEEP 5 and 10 cm H2O, and were connected to the lung model with and without nonintentional leak. The reference airway pressure and flow were measured by a data logger. VT was expressed in body temperature and pressure saturated. We assessed the difference in VT between the ventilator SD card and a data logger relative to set VT and factors associated with its magnitude. RESULTS: For A40, PrismaST30, and Vivo40, the adjusted mean VT differences between the ventilator SD card and the data logger were -0.053 L (95% CI -0.067 to -0.039 L) (P < .001), -0.002 L (95%CI -0.022 to 0.019 L) (P = .86), and -0.067 L (95% CI -0.007 to 0.127 L) (P = .03), respectively. The partial Spearman correlation coefficients between the ventilator SD card and a data logger were 0.89 (P < .001), 0.59 (P < .001), and 0.78 (P < .001), respectively to the ventilators. The relative variations in measured VT from the set VT were 16.0, -12.0, and 6.7% for the ventilator SD card, and were -2.5, -7.5, and -27.2% for the data logger, respectively. The discrepancy in ventilator between SD card and data logger were influenced by PEEP for the PrismaST30 ventilator, nonintentional leak for the Vivo40 ventilator and PEEP, nonintentional leak, and underlying disease, the effect of each depending on the levels of the other factors, for the A40 ventilator. CONCLUSIONS: In the 3 home-care ventilators, the ventilator SD card underestimated VT. Factors involved in this difference differed among the ventilators.

Positive Airway Pressure Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Positive airway pressure (PAP) is considered first-line therapy for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and may also be considered for mild obstructive sleep apnea, particularly if it is symptomatic or there are concomitant cardiovascular disorders. Continuous PAP is most commonly used. Other modes, such as bilevel airway pressure, autotitrating positive airway pressure, average volume assured pressure support, and adaptive support ventilation, play important roles in the management of sleep-related breathing disorders. This article outlines the indications, description, and comfort features of each mode. Despite the proven efficacy of PAP in treating obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and its sequelae, adherence to therapy is low. Close follow-up of patients for evaluation of adherence to and effectiveness of treatment is important.

Nocturnal respiratory failure in a child with congenital myopathy - management using average volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS).

This is a case report of the effective use of bi-level positive airway pressure support (BPAP) using the volume-assured pressure support feature in a pediatric patient with a congenital myopathy and significant nocturnal hypoventilation. Our patient was started on nocturnal nasal mask BPAP but required high pressures to improve her oxygen saturations and CO2 baseline. She was then trialed on a BPAP machine with the volume-assured pressure support feature on. The ability of this machine to adjust inspiratory pressures to give a targeted tidal volume allowed the patient to be on lower pressure settings for periods of the night, with the higher pressures only when required. She tolerated the ventilation well and her saturations, CO2 profiles, and clinical condition improved. This case report highlights the benefits of the volume-assured pressure support feature on a BPAP machine in a child with a neuromuscular disorder.