Validation of respiratory mechanics software in microprocessor-controlled ventilators.

Background and Methods: Several microprocessor-controlled ventilators, available for clinical use, contain optional computer software programs capable of performing near-instantaneous determinations of airway resistance and lung compliance. This study was undertaken to determine the validity of the measurements for airway resistance and lung compliance obtained by the software packages on three microprocessor-controlled ventilators. Three ventilator models were studied