| Abstract
| - Objective:. In a randomised trial, pressure support with synchronised intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) compared to SIMV alone was associated with a significant reduction in supplementary oxygen duration. The hypothesis that the addition of pressure support to SIMV compared to SIMV alone would reduce the work of breathing was examined. Design:. Prospective study. Setting:. Perinatal service. Patients:. 20 infants, with a mean gestational age of 31 weeks, being weaned from mechanical ventilation were studied. Interventions:. 1 h periods of SIMV and SIMV with pressure support at 50% of the difference between the peak inflating pressure and positive end expiratory pressures. Main outcome measures:. The work of breathing was assessed by measurement of the transdiaphragmatic pressure time product (PTPdi). Results:. The mean PTPdi on SIMV plus pressure support was 112 cm H2O.s/min, approximately 20% lower than that on SIMV alone (141 cm H2O.s/min) (p<0.001). Conclusion:. The addition of pressure support to SIMV reduces the work of breathing in infants being weaned from the ventilator.
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