Mechanical Ventilation: Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (Respiratory Therapy)

ALERT

Don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on the patient’s signs and symptoms and indications for isolation precautions.

Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is not recommended in patients who require deep or heavy sedation.

Ventilator failure or accidental disconnection can be catastrophic in patients undergoing neuromuscular blockade. Neuromuscular blockade can eliminate patient-ventilator asynchrony but not with a mode of ventilation requiring a spontaneously breathing patient.

OVERVIEW

APRV is a time-triggered, pressure-limited, time-cycled mode of ventilation that allows unrestricted spontaneous breathing with or without pressure support throughout the entire ventilatory cycle. By allowing patients to spontaneously breathe during APRV, dependent lung regions may be preferentially recruited without the need to raise applied airway pressure. There are several trademarked modes that are like APRV, but use difference names, including but not limited to, Biphasic, Bivent, or DuoPAP. Setting options, terminology and abbreviations may be brand specific based on the mechanical ventilator specifications.^{undefined#ref4">4} APRV is a lung-protective strategy that helps to meet the goals of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) management and to diffuse pneumonia and atelectasis by maximizing alveolar recruitment while limiting the transalveolar pressure gradient and barotrauma.

Conceptually, APRV applies a high continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (P high) identical to CPAP for a prolonged time (T high) to maintain adequate lung volume and promote alveolar recruitment. However, APRV adds a time-cycled release phase to a lower set CPAP (P low) for a short period of time (T low or release time) where most of the ventilation and carbon dioxide removal occurs (Figure 1). The goal is to maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation without obvious lung distention during P high and to avoid lung derecruitment and intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) during P low.

Very few randomized controlled trials have been conducted to study APRV, and consensus among practitioners regarding initial APRV settings is limited.⁷ A time-controlled adaptive ventilation (TCAV) protocol should be used to establish appropriate APRV settings for each patient.⁶

Given the current focus on the deleterious side effects of sedation medication and neuromuscular blockade, including delirium,² APRV may be a good option to promote patient-ventilator synchrony without heavy sedation. APRV has been shown to improve oxygenation, achieve a better ventilation–perfusion match, and decrease dead space compared with conventional mechanical ventilation.⁵

In APRV, the extended inspiratory time allows for an increase in the mean airway pressure (MAP) and improvement in oxygenation. Increasing the T high and P high increases MAP and lengthens the time for gas mixing, thereby optimizing the gas exchange surface area to promote oxygenation.

When the measured arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) becomes extreme, shortening T high increases the frequency with which carbon dioxide is released. PaCO₂ may increase if T high is increased, P high is decreased, or T low is decreased.

Patients who have obstructive lung disease with airflow obstruction and who require a prolonged expiratory time may not benefit from APRV because of patient-ventilator asynchrony caused by auto-PEEP and inverse inspiratory-to-expiratory [I:E] ratios.

EDUCATION

• Provide developmentally and culturally appropriate education based on the desire for knowledge, readiness to learn, and overall neurologic and psychosocial state.
• Explain the need for ventilator changes to the patient and family.
• Encourage questions and answer them as they arise.

ASSESSMENT AND PREPARATION

Assessment

1. Perform hand hygiene before patient contact. Don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on the patient’s need for isolation precautions or risk of exposure to bodily fluids.
2. Introduce yourself to the patient.
3. Verify the correct patient using two identifiers.
4. Observe the patient for signs of ARDS.
   1. Decreasing partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO₂/FIO₂) ratio
   2. Increasing plateau pressures, peak inspiratory pressures (PIP) or mean airway pressures (MAP)
   3. Bilateral infiltrates on a chest radiograph
5. Assess the patient’s hemodynamic and cardiorespiratory systems.

Preparation

1. Gather equipment, including ventilator with APRV mode, circuit, humidification device, filters (if needed) and closed suction device.
2. Before initiating mechanical ventilator, check the system microprocessor or ventilation system. Perform a short self-test as appropriate.
   1. Verify compliance of the ventilator circuit with humidification device and filters (if needed).
   2. Document the completed ventilation system test. Include pass or fail, date, and initials or signature and credentials of the respiratory therapist (RT).
3. Verify the authorized practitioner’s order for the initiation of mechanical ventilation.
4. Use a TCAV protocol to guide ventilator settings and strategy when using APRV.

PROCEDURE

1. Perform hand hygiene and don gloves. Don additional PPE based on the patient’s need for isolation precautions or the risk of exposure to bodily fluids.
2. Verify the correct patient using two identifiers.
3. Explain the procedure to the patient and ensure that he or she agrees to treatment.
4. Transition the patient to APRV from conventional ventilator settings:
   1. Set P high by using the measured plateau pressure of the volume-controlled mode or the set peak airway pressure of the pressure-controlled mode to obtain an expired minute ventilation that is several liters per minute less than when on a conventional mode of ventilation. Typically, the maximum goal for P high is 30 cm H₂O.⁸

      Rationale: Limiting P high to 30 cm H ₂O may minimize ventilator-associated lung injury. ⁸

   2. Set P low at 0 cm H₂O.⁸

      Rationale: P low of 0 produces minimal expiratory resistance and facilitates rapid pressure drops, thus accelerating unimpeded expiratory flow rates. ⁴

   3. Set T high from 3 to 6 seconds and adjust according to the patient’s needs.⁸

      Rationale: T high of less than 3 seconds begins to negatively impact mean airway pressure and recruitment. Extending the T high period may be required to enhance carbon dioxide clearance. ⁵

   4. Set T low from 0.5 to 0.8 seconds as determined by analysis of the expiratory gas flow curve.⁸

      Rationale: The goal is to terminate expiratory gas flow at about 75% to 50% of the peak expiratory flow rate to prevent the peak expiratory flow from returning to a zero baseline. ⁴ T low should be short enough to prevent derecruitment and long enough to obtain a suitable tidal volume (V T). ⁵

5. Transition the patient who is newly intubated to APRV.
   1. Set P high to a maximum of 30 cm H₂O (this higher transalveolar pressure recruits the lungs).⁸
   2. Set P low at 0 cm H₂O.⁴
   3. Set T high from 3 to 6 seconds and adjust according to the patient’s needs.⁸
   4. Set T low from 0.5 to 0.8 seconds.⁸
   5. Set FIO₂ for the desired PaO₂ or peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) level.
6. Transition the patient to APRV from HFOV.
   1. Set P high with MAP on HFOV plus 2 to 4 cm H₂O.
   2. Set P low at 0 cm H₂O.⁸
   3. Set T high from 3 to 6 seconds and adjust according to the patient’s needs.⁸
   4. Set T low from 0.5 to 0.8 seconds (acute restrictive lung disease) or from 0.8 to 1.5 seconds (acute obstructive lung disease).¹
7. Adjust settings based on the patient’s release and spontaneous VT, SpO₂, ETCO₂, arterial blood gas (ABG) values, expiratory gas flow pattern, and clinical status.
   1. To decrease PaCO₂:
      1. Decrease T high to no shorter than 3 seconds.⁴

         Rationale: A shorter T high means more releases per minute.

      2. Increase P high to increase MAP and volume exchange in 2- to 3-cm H₂O increments.⁸

         Monitor V T and peak inspiratory pressure, which is best below 30 cm H ₂O. ⁴

      3. Check T low. If possible, increase T low to allow more time for exhalation.
   2. To increase PaCO₂:
      1. Increase T high (fewer releases per minute) slowly.
      2. Decrease P high to lower MAP. Monitor oxygenation and avoid derecruitment.
   3. To increase PaO₂:
      1. Increase FIO₂.
      2. Increase MAP by increasing P high in 2-cm H₂O increments.³
      3. Increase T high slowly (in 0.5-second increments).⁸
      4. Use alveolar recruitment maneuvers.
      5. Consider shortening T low in 0.1-second increments (this may reduce VT and affect PaCO₂).³
8. Evaluate the patient’s readiness for weaning and proceed with the “drop” and “stretch” method for weaning.
   1. Wean FIO₂ to 40% first to rule out refractory hypoxemia.
   2. Reduce the level of P high (“drop”) and reduce the number of releases by increasing the T high (“stretch”) until the mode is converted to a CPAP of 15 cm H₂O.³

      Rationale: The primary method to wean support in APRV is the “drop and stretch method.” Increased P high and increased T high improves oxygenation. Manipulation of P low and T low regulates end-expiratory lung volume.

      1. Decrease P high in 2- to 3-cm H₂O increments while simultaneously lengthening T high in 0.5- to 2-second increments.¹
      2. Decrease P high until it meets P low.
      3. P high is typically 14 to 16 cm H₂O or less, and T high is approximately 12 to 15 seconds.¹
   3. Add pressure support as needed to augment spontaneous breathing efforts. The time interval between changes is patient dependent.

      Rationale: Too long a time interval lengthens stay in the intensive care unit; too short a time interval promotes alveolar collapse.

9. Remove PPE and perform hand hygiene.
10. Document the procedure in the patient’s record.

MONITORING AND CARE

1. Regularly perform a check of ventilator settings and measured parameters.
2. Ensure that all ventilator alarms are on and set appropriately for the patient’s individual ventilator settings.
3. Monitor the ventilator pressure-time and flow-time waveforms to evaluate spontaneous and delivered pressure, inspiratory and expiratory flow patterns.
4. Monitor the patient’s peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO₂) level and hemodynamic status.
5. Report any signs of increase in MAP.
6. Assess the patient’s exhaled minute volume, release VT and spontaneous VT.
7. Monitor the patient’s ABG values as needed.
8. Assess the patient’s overall level of comfort.
9. To minimize lung derecruitment, consider using a closed suction device to minimize the number of times the patient is disconnected from the ventilator.
10. Observe the patient for signs or symptoms of pain. If pain is suspected, report it to the authorized practitioner.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Improved oxygenation
• Improved ventilation
• Improved patient comfort
• Decreased work of breathing
• Lung recruitment
• Minimal ventilator-induced lung injury
• Liberation from mechanical ventilation

UNEXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Lung overdistention
• Increased work of breathing
• Worsening oxygenation
• Worsening ventilation
• Increase in lung infiltrates

DOCUMENTATION

• P high
• P low
• T high
• T low
• FIO₂
• T high:T low ratio (set)
• I:E ratio (actual)
• Pressure support
• Minute volume (total)
• Minute volume (spontaneous)
• Exhaled VT release breath
• Exhaled VT spontaneous breath
• Respiratory rate (total)
• MAP
• SpO₂
• ETCO₂ (optional)
• Patient’s tolerance of procedure
• Education
• Unexpected outcomes and related interventions

REFERENCES

1. Cairo, J.M. (Ed.). (2020). Chapter 5: Selecting the ventilator and the mode. In Pilbeam’s mechanical ventilation: Physiological and clinical applications (7th ed., pp. 58-79). St. Louis: Elsevier.
2. Delvin, J. and others.(2018). Clinical practice guideline for the prevention and management of pain, agitation/sedation, delirium, immobility, and sleep disruption in adult patients in the ICU. Critical Care Medicine, 46(9), e825-e873. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000003299 (Level I)
3. Farkas, J. (2017). PulmCrit- APRV: Resurrection of the open-lung strategy? Retrieved March 15, 2021, from https://emcrit.org/pulmcrit/aprv/
4. Hess, D.R., Kacmarek, R.M. (Eds.). (2019). Chapter 8: Advanced modes of mechanical ventilation. In Essentials of mechanical ventilation. (4th ed., pp.73-86). New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
5. Holt, G.A., Habib, S.A., Shelledy, D.C. (2020). Chapter 3: Principles of mechanical ventilation. In D.C. Shelledy, J.I. Peters (Eds.), Mechanical ventilation (3rd ed., pp. 95-154). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
6. Kollisch-Singule, M. and others. (2019). The time-controlled adaptive ventilation protocol: Mechanistic approach to reducing ventilator-induced lung injury. European Respiratory Review, 28(152). doi:10.1183/16000617.0126-2018 (Level III)
7. Miller, A.G. and others. (2017). Clinical management strategies for airway pressure release ventilation: A survey of clinical practice. Respiratory Care, 62(10), 1264-1268. doi:10.4187/respcare.05494 (Level III)
8. Shelledy, D.C., Peters, J.I. (2020). Chapter 6: Ventilation initiation. In D.C. Shelledy, J.I. Peters (Eds.), Mechanical ventilation (3rd ed., pp. 311-366). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

ADDITIONAL READINGS

Cairo, J.M. (Ed.). (2020). Chapter 17: Effects of positive pressure ventilation on the pulmonary system. In Pilbeam’s mechanical ventilation: Physiological and clinical applications (7th ed., pp. 307-332). St. Louis: Elsevier.

Carsetti, A. and others. (2019). Airway pressure release ventilation during acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Annals of intensive care, 9(44), 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s13613-019-0518-7.

Fredericks, A.S. and others. (2020). Airway pressure release ventilation: A review of the evidence, theoretical benefits, and alternative titration strategies. Clinical Medicine Insights: Circulatory, Respiratory and Pulmonary Medicine, 14, 1-9. doi:10.1177/1179548420903297.

Nieman, G.F. and others. (2020). Prevention and treatment of acute lung injury with time-controlled adaptive ventilation: Physiologically informed modification of airway pressure release ventilation. Annals of Intensive Care, 10(1), 3. doi:10.1186/s13613-019-0619-3

Shelledy, D.C., Peters, J.I. (2020). Chapter 7: Patient stabilization: Adjusting ventilatory support. In D.C. Shelledy, J.I. Peters (Eds.), Mechanical ventilation (3rd ed., pp. 367-400). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Elsevier Skills Levels of Evidence

• Level I - Systematic review of all relevant randomized controlled trials
• Level II - At least one well-designed randomized controlled trial
• Level III - Well-designed controlled trials without randomization
• Level IV - Well-designed case-controlled or cohort studies
• Level V - Descriptive or qualitative studies
• Level VI - Single descriptive or qualitative study
• Level VII - Authority opinion or expert committee reports