Evaluating Asynchrony

Ventilation has been a life-saving tool for critically ill patients.([FOOTNOTE=Epstein SK. How often does patient-ventilator asynchrony occur and what are the consequences? Respir Care. 2011;56(1):25-38.],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=])  But ventilation can be an uncomfortable experience due to the invasiveness of the tubing, and mismatches (or “asynchronies”) between the patient’s demand for breath and the ventilator-delivered breathing pattern.¹

In the past, clinicians addressed ventilator-patient asynchrony through heavy sedation.¹  However, recent studies have highlighted the negative consequences of oversedation for ventilatory patients, which include muscle atrophy from prolonged disuse and lengthened ventilation times.¹

By evaluating and correcting ventilator-patient asynchrony, sedation use may be minimized, improving patient comfort and well-being.

In this video, leading ICU clinicians discuss ventilator-patient asynchrony—what it is and how to detect and avoid asynchrony without turning to additional sedation.

By evaluating for asynchrony, clinicians may be able to reduce the risk of oversedation.¹  By using sedation more effectively, we can work together to potentially reduce ICU ventilation time.