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Monday, March 2, 2009

Waveform of the week: Ineffective Efforts

This image shows abrupt decreases in flow which are not followed by a mechanical breath, this indicates ineffective efforts.



Common Causes include:
  • Low respiratory drive.
  • Addition of extra flow to the ventilator circuit during nebulizer treatments. 
note- cardiac oscillations maybe confused with ineffective efforts, particularly if the stroke volume is high.

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The intrinsic diaphragmatic frequency