OBJECTIVETo study the effects of expiratory triggering sensitivity (ETS) on patient-ventilator expiratory synchrony and work of breathing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients during pressure support ventilation (PSV).

METHODSA total of 31 COPD patients were ventilated in PSV mode, and measured by a pulmonary monitor. Meanwhile, the electromyogram of the diaphragm (EMG(diaph)) was obtained with electromyography. Five levels of ETS, 1%, 15%, 25%, 35%, and 50% of peak inspiratory flow (PIF), were studied in random order. Each ETS level lasted 30 minutes and all the data were recorded simultaneously for 3 minutes at the end of each period. The effects of ETS on patient-ventilator expiratory synchrony were analyzed by measuring the phase angle of expiration between the EMG(diaph) and the flow wave curve, and the effects of ETS on work of breathing by calculating total work of breathing (Wtot), work of inspiration by patients (Wi, P) and expiratory work of breathing (Wex).

RESULTSTen patients were excluded from the study. At the 25% PIF level of ETS, patient-ventilator expiratory synchrony was the best, theta = (8 +/- 3) degrees, 16 patients - 15 degrees < or = theta < or = 15 degrees, and the amount of Wtot, Wi, p, Wex was the smallest among all the 5 levels of ETS, which was (1.86 +/- 0.53) J/L, (0.54 +/- 0.13) J/L, and (0.16 +/- 0.08) J/L respectively. When the level of ETS decreased, the occurrence of delayed termination of inspiration and the amount of Wex increased. At the level of 1% PIF, 18 patients theta > 15 degrees, and Wex was (0.48 +/- 0.10) J/L; at this level of ETS, Wi, p also increased significantly to (0.65 +/- 0.16 ) J/L. But when the level of ETS increased, the occurrence of premature termination of inspiration and the amount of Wi, p increased: at 50% PIF level of ETS, theta < - 15 degrees and Wi, p was (1.33 +/- 0.14) J/L in 19 patients.

CONCLUSIONThe proper adjustment of ETS during PSV improves patient-ventilator synchrony and decreases work of breathing in COPD patients.