Optimizing the Assessment of Mechanical Ventilation by Integrating Advanced Monitoring Techniques [AVIM]

The aim of this study is to collect synchronized data from multiple monitoring techniques of mechanical ventilation (pressure/flow waves from the ventilator, electrical impedance tomography - EIT, esophageal pressure, capnography) in patients ventilated either on intensive care units or during anesthesia and evaluate the data by detailed mathematical analysis, to test three hypotheses: 1. Various published methods of calculation of the expiratory time constant provide different results in most cases. 2. Inhomogeneous ventilation (as described by EIT) affects the form of the expiratory flow curve and thus the calculated expiratory time constants. 3. The calculation of mechanical energy transferred to the lungs is affected by the chosen technique and length of the inspiratory pause maneuver. This study does not test any new or non-standard methods and does not in any way interfere with the course of treatment indicated by the clinician, apart from extending the monitoring techniques.