Bergold et al. Flow-controlled ventilation – a novel approach to treating severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Poster presented at WAMM 2019.

Dr. Bergold and colleagues present the first application of FCV to a 22-year old patient with traumatic brain injury and chest trauma who was admitted to the ICU with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS; P/F ratio 49 mmHg). As ventilation parameters did not improve with volume controlled ventilation and continuous lateral rotational therapy, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was contraindicated, FCV ventilation using Evone was considered as last alternative treatment option. FCV was individually optimized based on the patient’s respiratory system compliance, and led to a significantly improved lung condition within a few hours (P/F ratio 177, 270 and 397 mmHg after 1, 12 and 24 hours, respectively). After 77 hours of FCV ventilation the patient could enter a weaning procedure. He was discharged to a rehabilitation facility two weeks later in a favorable neurological condition.