Respiratory physiology & neurobiology
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Respir Physiol Neurobiol · Oct 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialFlow Controlled Expiration is perceived as less uncomfortable than positive end expiratory pressure.
Recently, we presented Flow Controlled Expiration (FLEX) as a new option for lung-protective ventilation. FLEX delays the expiratory volume decrease in the lungs without prolonging the duration of expiration. Most ventilated patients nowadays receive spontaneous breathing support. ⋯ Only in forced choice comparison a stronger FLEX condition was perceived as less comfortable (p<0.01) than a weaker one. We conclude that FLEX decreases the breathing comfort in healthy subjects to a lesser extent than PEEP. Therefore, FLEX might be used to support ventilation therapy in spontaneously breathing patients.