Comparison of Different Methods to Calculate Pendelluft by Electrical Impedance Tomography in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Patients will be submitted to different levels of pressure support (PS) in a randomly assigned order. First 30 minutes shall be recorded at the clinical PS. Next, blood gas samples shall be collected. Subsequently, three inspiratory pauses of at least 2 seconds shall be performed with an interval of at least 8 respiratory cycles between them. The same shall be performed with three expiratory pauses. Next, the PS shall be varied to 50% less or 50% more than clinical PS (based on randomization) and the same procedures shall be performed after 30 minutes of data recording (blood gas sample collection, inspiratory and expiratory pauses). All data shall be analyzed offline using a software that will be able to compare three different methods to calculate Pendelluft magnitude based on the literature. After completion of the protocol, ventilatory parameters shall be returned to the original settings. If the patient becomes tachypneic during lower PS, the protocol shall be interrupted.