Patient-ventilator interaction during the triggering phase.

Partial patient-controlled mechanical support mode ventilators provide positive pressure assistance whenever a patient's inspiratory effort decreases pressure or flow in the ventilator circuit below the sensitivity set by clinicians; these modes minimize disuse atrophy of the respiratory muscles, can facilitate the weaning process, and usually require lower ventilator pressures. The capability of restoring gas exchange, unloading respiratory muscles, and relieving the patient's dyspnea with partial patient-controlled mechanical support modes depends on matching between the ventilator setting and the patient's ventilatory demand (ie, patient-ventilator interactions).