Use of respiratory mechanics for monitoring and setting of noninvasive mechanical ventilation

Patient-ventilator asynchrony is underestimated in clinical practice. The real challenge during mechanical ventilation is not only to supply an efficacious support to the ventilatory pump but also to provide the best possible matching between the patient's ventilatory drive and the ventilator settings. Two variables seem to determine the NIV's success, on one side the presence of higher high leaks, and on the other a mismatch between the inspiratory time of the patient and that provided by the ventilator. The aim of this report is to examine most relevant aspects related to the use of Respiratory Mechanics for monitoring and setting of NIV, with a particular regard to patient-ventilator interaction. This optimation contributes, at last, to NIV success.