4 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The purpose of this study is to measure peak skin interface pressures and the total area of the body exposed to skin interface pressure above 30 mm Hg at different areas of the body in the supine position on two different support surfaces applied to a standard North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) litter (NSN: 6530-01-380-7309) and a Raven 90C Litter (NSN6530-01-432-5114). The support surfaces are the Warrior Evacuation Litter Pad (WELP) and the Dolphin Fluid Immersion Simulation Stretcher System (FIS). These pressure measurements and transcutaneous oxygenation readings will allow us to determine differences between support surfaces.
The purpose of the research study is to investigate the peak sacral interface pressures of two separate hospital bed systems in the supine and 30 degrees head-of-bed elevation position.
The goal of this interventional crossover study, in intubated and mechanically ventilated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) patients, is to compare two positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration techniques regarding: respiratory mechanics, gas exchange, changes in aeration, ventilation/perfusion matching its impact on cardiac function, especially the right heart (RH). The PEEP titration techniques are: PEEP selection based on low PEEP/high FiO2 table ("PEEPARDSnet") and lung recruitment maneuver (LRM) plus PEEPdec titration based on the best compliance of the respiratory system("PEEPLRM").
Neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) is an FDA approved mode of mechanical ventilation. This mode of ventilation is currently in routine use in adult, pediatric and neonatal intensive care units. The electrical activity of the diaphragm, the largest muscle used during inspiration, is measured. The ventilator triggers (synchronizes patient effort) and applies proportional assistance based on measured electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi). This electrical activity is measured through a feeding tube that also has a multiple-array esophageal electrode in it. This mode of ventilation has been proven to be equivalent to pressure support ventilation (PSV). Theoretically, the breath-to-breath control offered by NAVA may not only trigger faster and synchronize better, but provide the support deemed appropriate by the central nervous center on demand. Traditionally in the intensive care unit (ICU), pressure support is applied to subject breathing spontaneously. Pressure is set to achieve a given tidal volume. The influence of changing lung compliance not only from the lung disease itself, but the interactions of the respiratory muscles can drastically change minute ventilation and contribute to hyper- or hypoventilation. These changes are typically found on assessment of end-tidal carbon dioxide (CO2), blood gas, or oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring; all of which are potentially preventable if we allowed the central nervous system to control the ventilator. NAVA may allow us to couple the central nervous system (neuro-coupling) with the ventilator to provide real-time proportional assistance, reduce work of breathing and apply physiologic breathing patterns.