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CASE REPORT
Year : 2014  |  Volume : 55  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 359-361  

See-saw pattern in ventilator graphic: Is there any story behind?


1 Department of Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
2 Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

Date of Web Publication21-Jul-2014

Correspondence Address:
Tumul Chowdhury
Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, 2nd Floor, Herry Medovy House, 671 - William's Ave, Health Sciences Center, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3E 0Z2
Canada
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0300-1652.137232

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   Abstract 

The importance of ventilator graphics cannot be over emphasized that provide the useful information about airway, ventilation, compliance and lung mechanics. Some bizarre forms of graphics are usually overlooked in view of artifacts, but sometimes these tracings may in fact predict some relevant information.

Keywords: Diagnosis, mechanics, ventilator graphics


How to cite this article:
Sokhal N, Goyal K, Chowdhury T, Rath GP. See-saw pattern in ventilator graphic: Is there any story behind?. Niger Med J 2014;55:359-61

How to cite this URL:
Sokhal N, Goyal K, Chowdhury T, Rath GP. See-saw pattern in ventilator graphic: Is there any story behind?. Niger Med J [serial online] 2014 [cited 2024 Mar 29];55:359-61. Available from: https://www.nigeriamedj.com/text.asp?2014/55/4/359/137232


   Introduction Top


Monitors are important compliments to every physician, especially, anaesthesiologist. Usually, the patterns of different tracings and/or values of the monitors depict the pathophysiological responses of surgical or anaesthesiological stimuli and assist in the patient's management. In this regard, tracing the utility of ventilators is worth mentioning. The importance of ventilator graphics cannot be over emphasised, as they provide useful information about airway, ventilation, compliance, and lung mechanics. [1],[2],[3],[4],[5] Some bizarre forms of graphics are usually overlooked as artefacts, but sometimes these tracings may in fact predict some relevant information.

Here, we have described a unique pattern of pressure-time and flow-time curves of an operating room ventilator that shares clinically relevant information.


   Case report Top


Case 1

An otherwise healthy young male patient weighing 60 kg was presented for olfactory groove meningioma surgery. The patient was induced and maintained with balanced general anaesthesia. After 5 hours of smooth intra-operative course, we suddenly noticed wide fluctuations in peak airway pressure (9-16 cm of water). Delivered tidal volume was also showing varying values ranging from 140-350 ml, despite the set tidal volume of 600 ml. However, there was no change in end tidal carbon-di-oxide (ETCO 2 ) waveform or in haemodynamics. At this point, considering the inadequate muscle paralysis and being a neurosurgical procedure, we repeated the muscle relaxant to ensure complete immobility of the patient. In addition, we also searched for the other possible causes such as valve malfunction, secretion in the endotracheal tube, possible kinking of endotracheal tube etc. However, the fluctuation in tidal volume and pressure persisted, and the pressure-time and flow-time curves showed a small zig-zag or see-saw pattern [Figure 1]. After eliminating all these causes, we started searching for the leak in the circuit as well as in the soda lime canister, and surprisingly, we found water [Figure 2] in the outflow tube of the circuit, and the column of water was moving with each ventilatory cycle. We immediately removed water from the circuit, and subsequently the curves as well as the other ventilatory mechanics returned to normal. Rest of the intra-operative course was uneventful.
Figure 1: See saw pattern in ventilatory graphics

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Figure 2: Water in the ventilator circuit

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Case 2

An otherwise healthy young male patient weighing 62 kg was taken for an urgent craniotomy and excision for left parieto-occipital space occupying lesion. Due to deteriorating consciousness, he was in an emergency room and shifted to OR. Anaesthesia was induced with fentanyl 100 µg and propofol 80 mg. Maintenance of anaesthesia was done with oxygen, isoflurane, fentanyl, and vecuronium. Intra operatively, we observed see-saw pattern in the pressure-time and flow-time curves [Figure 2] with continuous change of airway pressure as well. Several measures were taken to correct the condition and eliminate the other possible causes. A thorough search revealed water inside the circuit tubing. After removal of water (around 50 ml), ventilator mechanics reverted to normal and the further intra-operative course was uneventful.


   Discussion Top


The importance of ventilator graphics is well described in the literature. [1],[2],[3],[4] We can see various patterns in pressure-volume loop, which are the characteristic features of different airway conditions including obstructive, restrictive lung diseases, intra-operative kinking etc. [1],[2],[3],[4] Importantly, some of these patterns in intra-operative period are usually accompanied by changes in airway pressures as well. Notably, intra-operative sudden changes in peak airway pressure may occur due to multiple causes including inadequate depth of anaesthesia, recovery from muscle relaxant, kinking of endotracheal tube, tube blockage with secretions/mucus, bronchospasm, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax and valve dysfunction. A thorough check-up to eliminate these conditions are of paramount importance [Table 1].
Table 1: Significance of different ventilatory mechanics

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In the above cases, the peak airway pressure and the delivered tidal volume were changing continuously and the probable reason for such intra-operative finding is the onset of spontaneous respiration. We did repeat the muscle relaxant, but only the removal of water from the anaesthesia circuit could solve this puzzle. In this regard, water in the anaesthesia circuit is a common entity. Condensation of water usually occurs due to the humidified anaesthetic gases, soda lime, and losses from the patient's airway that can lead to clogging of water in the circuit tubing. In addition, factors like the prolonged duration of surgery, difference in the patient core body and ambient temperature, and the fluid status of the patient can further affect the loss and vaporisation from the patient airway and result in water condensation. In our case, the water was not only collected in the tubing but it partially obstructed the pathway. The water column was moving with each ventilator cycle and its to and fro movement inside was reflecting as changing airway pressure, tidal volume and see-saw pattern in the pressure-time and flow-time curves. The see-saw pattern in flow-volume loop has also been studied and found to be well correlated with secretions in endotracheal tubes. [2],[4] These are suggested as the non-invasive methods to detect secretions in endotracheal tube in patients on ventilators. Importantly, the absence of see-saw pattern in flow-volume loop after suctioning suggested the absence of secretions. In addition, clinical examination was found to be less accurate than that of curves in predicting the secretions in endotracheal tube. [4] On contrary, our findings suggest that see-saw pattern in flow-time and pressure-time curves point towards water in the external ventilator tubing and signify the substantial amount of water present. However, it is a matter of further research related to volume of water and appearance of these types of graphics.

We noted that certain parameters were consistently present in both the cases and removal of water ameliorated the condition that includes:

1. See-saw pattern in the pressure-time and flow-time curves,

2. Regular fluctuation in airway pressure,

3. Fluctuating tidal volume

4. No changes in ETCO 2 waveform and haemodynamics.

Therefore, we suggest that findings of these parameters would certainly alert the peri-operative physicians to look for water clogging in the ventilatory circuit. This will not just help prevent overzealous use of anaesthetics, but may reduce the chances of clogging related serious intraoperative as well as intensive care unit consequences.

In conclusion, bizarre forms of ventilatory graphs may have some important information behind them and one should always try to find out the exact cause for this. In this regard, findings of see-saw pattern of pressure and flow curves may assist to eliminate water clogging in the ventilatory circuit.

 
   References Top

1.Nassar BS, Collett ND, Schmidt GA. The flow-time waveform predicts respiratory system resistance and compliance. J Crit Care 2012;27:418.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.Guglielminotti J, Alzieu M, Maury E, Guidet B, Offenstadt G. Bedside detection of retained tracheobronchial secretions in patients receiving mechanical ventilation: Is it time for tracheal suctioning? Chest 2000;118:1095-9.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.Dhand R. Ventilator graphics and respiratory mechanics in the patient with obstructive lung disease. Respir Care 2005;50:246-61.  Back to cited text no. 3
[PUBMED]    
4.Jubran A, Tobin MJ. Use of flow-volume curves in detecting secretions in ventilator-dependent patients. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1994;150:766-9.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.Lucangelo U1, Bernabé F, Blanch L. Respiratory mechanics derived from signals in the ventilator circuit. Respir Care 2005;50:55-65.  Back to cited text no. 5
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2]
 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1]



 

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