Effect of Interfacing between Spontaneous Breathing and Mechanical Cycles on the Ventilation-Perfusion Distribution in Canine Lung Injury

Abstract

Spontaneous breathing superimposed on mechanical ventilation contributes to improved VA/Q matching and increased systemic blood flow. Apparently, the spontaneous contribution to a mechanically assisted breath during PSV is not sufficient to counteract the VA/Q maldistribution of positive pressure lung insufflation during acute lung injury.