Fraction of Inspired Oxygen Delivered by Elisee(tm) 350 Turbine Transport Ventilator With a Portable Oxygen Concentrator in an Austere Environment.
BACKGROUND Management of critically ill patients in austere environments is a logistic challenge. Availability of oxygen cylinders for the mechanically ventilated patient may be difficult in such a context. One solution is to use a ventilator able to function with an oxygen concentrator (OC) METHODS We tested two Elisee(tm) 350 ventilators paired with SeQual Integra 10 OM oxygen concentrators (OC) (Chart Industries, http:/www .chartindustries.com) and evaluated the delivered fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2) Ventilators were connected to a test lung and Fio2 was measured and indicated by the ventilator. Continuous oxygen was generated by the OC from 0.5L/min to 10L/min, and administered by the specific inlet port of the ventilator. Several combinations of ventilator settings were evaluated to determine the factors affecting the delivered Fio2. RESULTS The Elisee 350 turbine ventilator is able to deliver a high Fio2 when functioning with an OC. However, modifications of the ventilator settings such as an increase in minute ventilation, inspiratory to expiratory ratio, and positive end expiratory pressure affect delivered Fio2 despite steady state oxygen flow from the concentrator. CONCLUSION OCs provide an alternative to oxygen cylinders for delivering high Fio2 with a turbine ventilator. Nevertheless, Fio2 must be monitored continuously, since it decreases when minute ventilation is increased.
Journal of special operations medicine a peer reviewed journal for SOF medical professionals