Volume-targeted Modes

- Volume Assist/Control (V-AC), Assist Control (AC) or Volume Control Ventilation (VCV): Delivers a preset number of mandatory breaths per minute (control part). The patient can take their own breaths in addition to mandatory breaths, with each spontaneous breath receiving the full preset tidal volume (assist part). Airway pressures can vary during delivery. 1-3
- Volume Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (V-SIMV) combines mandatory breaths and supported breaths. “synchronized” means it will adjust the delivery of breaths with the patient’s effort. “Intermittent” means that not all breaths are supported. The ventilator delivers a preset number of mandatory breaths per minute. Any breath taken over the set RR will not receive the set tidal volume and is solely based on the patient’s lung compliance and effort. Newer models offer PS with patient triggered breaths.

Pressure-targeted Modes

- Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV) supports every patient breath with a preset amount of pressure support. No mandatory breaths are given, so the patient must be spontaneously breathing.
- Pressure Assist control (P-AC), or Pressure Control Ventilation (PCV) delivers a set number of mandatory pressure-controlled breaths, in which the patient receives a fixed pressure during a preset inspiratory time. Any breaths over the set rate will be pressure controlled with the same amount of pressure. The delivered tidal volume will be based on the amount of pressure applied, the lung compliance and airway resistance of the patient.

Adaptive Support Ventilation (ASV)

ASV provides intelligent ventilation mode that continuously adjusts respiratory rate, tidal volume, and inspiratory time depending on the patient’s lung mechanics and effort. This is similar to “Auto-Flow” or other like settings on different brands of ventilators. Currently only available on the Hamilton-T1.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

CPAP Is a type of positive airway pressure, where the air flow is introduced into the airways to maintain a continuous pressure to constantly stent the airways open, in people who are breathing spontaneously.1 CPAP provides constant pressure above that of the atmospheric pressure. Delivered via the upper respiratory tract.

Pressure Regulated Volume Control (PRVC) Ventilation

PRVC ventilation is designed for invasive mechanical ventilation and combines volume and pressure strategies. PRVC delivers a pressure-controlled and tidal volume (VT)–targeted breath using a decelerating flow waveform pattern that allows unrestricted spontaneous breathing with or without pressure support (PS). 2 (may be Impact 731 only). ***

BL (bilevel)

The BL ventilator provides two pressure settings to assist patients breathing spontaneously: a higher inhalation pressure (IPAP) and a lower exhalation pressure (EPAP).NOTE: This feature is only available on the Zoll. ***

***See Acute Respiratory Failure CPG for more detail on advanced ventilator modes/settings.