Respiratory drive with pressure support ventilation.

A reduction in arterial PCO2 is an important cause of respiratory muscle in hibition during pressure support (PS). A nonchemical inhibition of respirat ory activity during PS has also been demonstrated. This nonchemical inhibit ion of inspiratory activity is not observed with all modes of mechanical ve ntilation. lit fact, the higher is the initial flow rate provided by the ve ntilator, the more efficient the nonchemical inhibition of respiratory acti vity. Currently, PS is the ventilatory; support technique which provides th e highest initial inspiratory flow. However, these new physiological findin gs should facilitate the development of molt effective ventilatory support techniques.