THE ADDITION OF SIGHS DURING PRESSURE SUPPORT VENTILATION - IS THERE A BENEFIT

The purpose of this study was to determine if sigh breaths delivered d uring pressure support ventilation (PSV) were beneficial in maintainin g arterial oxygenation (PaO2) and pulmonary mechanics. Ten patients be ing weaned from mechanical ventilation in the PSV mode were studied. A ll patients were ventilated for 4 h without sighs, 4 h with sighs, and again for 4 h without sighs. During each 4-h period, continuous measu rements of ventilatory volumes and airway pressures were accomplished. At the end of each 4-h period, an arterial blood gas determination wa s obtained. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the measured variables during the different periods of ventilation . We conclude that the sigh breath is of no benefit during PSV.