Asynchrony in Mechanical Ventilation

Learning objectives

We will define the concept of asynchrony, also referred to as dyssynchrony, which is a common condition in mechanically ventilated patients where there is poor coordination between the ventilator and the patient. This occurs when there is a mismatch between the patient’s neural respiratory drive and the ventilator’s settings (machine drive) or response. In this course, we will:

• Define patient-ventilator asynchrony.
• List common causes of asynchrony and incidence.
• Describe the consequences of asynchrony.
• Identify the three main categories of asynchrony.
• Apply treatment strategies to synchronize patient-ventilator interaction.