The effects of real-time waveform analysis software on patient ventilator synchronization during pressure support ventilation: a randomized crossover physiological study

Abstract Background Patient-ventilator asynchrony commonly occurs during pressure support ventilation (PSV). IntelliSync + software (Hamilton Medical AG, Bonaduz, Switzerland) is a new ventilation technology that continuously analyzes ventilator waveforms to detect the beginning and end of patient inspiration in real time. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological effect of IntelliSync + software on inspiratory trigger delay time, delta airway (P aw ) and esophageal (P es ) pressure drop during the trigger phase, airway occlusion pressure at 0.1 s (P 0.1 ), and hemodynamic variables. Methods A randomized crossover physiologic study was conducted in 14 mechanically ventilated patients under PSV. Patients were randomly assigned to receive conventional flow trigger and cycling, inspiratory trigger synchronization (I-sync), cycle synchronization (C-sync), and inspiratory trigger and cycle synchronization (I/C-sync) for 15 min at each step. Other ventilator settings were kept constant. P aw , P es , airflow, P 0.1 , respiratory rate, SpO 2 , and hemodynamic variables were recorded. The primary outcome was inspiratory trigger and cycle delay time between each intervention. Secondary outcomes were delta P aw and P es drop during the trigger phase, P 0.1 , SpO 2 , and hemodynamic variables. Results The time to initiate the trigger was significantly shorter with I-sync compared to baseline (208.9±91.7 vs. 301.4±131.7 msec; P = 0.002) and I/C-sync compared to baseline (222.8±94.0 vs. 301.4±131.7 msec; P = 0.005). The I/C-sync group had significantly lower delta P aw and P es drop during the trigger phase compared to C-sync group (-0.7±0.4 vs. -1.2±0.8 cmH 2 O; P = 0.028 and − 1.8±2.2 vs. -2.8±3.2 cmH 2 O; P = 0.011, respectively). No statistically significant differences were found in cycle delay time, P 0.1 and other physiological variables between the groups. Conclusions IntelliSync + software reduced inspiratory trigger delay time compared to the conventional flow trigger system during PSV mode. However, no significant improvements in cycle delay time and other physiological variables were observed with IntelliSync + software. Trial registration This study was registered in the Thai Clinical Trial Registry (TCTR20200528003; date of registration 28/05/2020).