Flow-controlled ventilation - a new and promising method of ventilation presented with a review of the literature.

Abstract

Substantial efforts have been undertaken to identify and minimise factors responsible for the development of ventilator-induced lung injury. Anovel approach to this problem addresses energy dissipated in lung tissue during the breathing cycle as one of the key problems. Flow-controlled ventilation is anew modality of mechanical ventilation based on aconstant flow during both inspiration and expiration. This review aims to evaluate the current evidence available regarding flow-controlled ventilation. Lastly, three cases of flow-controlled ventilation application are presented: ventilation with asmall lumen tube during tracheal resection, one-lung ventilation during thoracoscopic lobectomy, and ventilation of acritically ill patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome in an intensive care unit setting.