The full closed loop ventilation mode Intellivent-ASV: user-friendly and effective mechanical ventilation in high risk postoperative patients on the intensive care unit.

Objective of the study:

The aim of this study is to investigate whether postoperative ventilation with IntelliVent ASV in high risk patients, after cardio-thoracic and abdominal surgery, is as effective, more user-friendly and as safe as compared to the conventional modes of ventilation.

Study design:

This is a prospective randomized study with a control group and a treatment group of
postoperative high risk patients. Through randomization will be determined whether the participant, after surgery, will be mechanically ventilated with IntelliVent-ASV and Quickwean or with conventional mechanical ventilation.



Study population:

The study population consists high risk patients after cardio-thoracic or abdominal surgery. These patients were assessed before surgery, according to protocol, to be mechanically ventilated after surgery on the high care unit of the intensive care ward, until they can be extubated.

Primairy outcomes:

- Effectiveness.

1: Percentage of mechanical ventilation time in an optimal, acceptable or unacceptable zone., Timepoints: 48 hours of ventilation;

2: Successful extubations: 48 hours after surgery;

3: Mechanical ventilation time: until extubation or death.

- User-friendliness.

1: Interactions with ventilator: 48 hours;

2: Survey: <24 hours after working with ventilator.

Secondary outcomes:

- Safety.

1: Oxygen saturation <85%: 48 hours of ventilation;

2: Ventilation in an unacceptable zone: 48 hours of ventilation.
- Reliability

1: End tidal CO2 en oxygen saturation: 48 hours of ventilation;

2: Unmeasurable oxygen saturation: 48 hours of ventilation.

- Patient friendliness

1: Agitated moments: 48 hours of ventilation;

2: Opiates, benzodiazepines or haloperidol administration: 48 hours of ventilation.

- Postoperative shunting:

1: End tidal CO2, pCO2, pO2 / FiO2 ratio: until 4 hours after extubation;

2: Postoperative pulmonary atelectasis: <48 hours after surgery.

- The intervention group will be mechanically ventilated with IntelliVent-ASV after surgery.

- The control group will be mechanically ventilated based on the conventional method, consisting out of pressure or volume-controlled mechanical ventilation, followed by pressure support.