Does pressure-controlled ventilation–volume guaranteed differ from pressure-controlled ventilation in anesthetized patients

Background General anesthesia causes depression of both respiratory centers and respiratory muscles. Hence, patients under general anesthesia require ventilatory support to maintain arterial oxygenation and eliminate carbon dioxide. Mechanical ventilation can improve patients outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pressure-controlled ventilation– volume guaranteed (PCV-VG) provide better oxygenation than pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) in anesthetized patients. Patients and methods A total of 30 patients scheduled for abdominal cancer surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in the study. Mechanical ventilation was started with PCV for 60 min then PCV-VG was applied to all patients with the same parameters, targeting the obtained tidal volume (Vt). Arterial blood pressures, heart rate, ETCO2, SpO2, pH, PaCO2, and PaO2 were measured after 60 min of intubation during PCV and after 60 min of initiation of PCV-VG. Vt, mean airway pressure, and peak airway pressure (during PCV-VG) were recorded. Oxygenation index calculation was performed at the preset times. Results All parameters were comparable with no significant difference between both modes of ventilation in anesthetized patients (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusion While maintaining constant Vt and I/E ratio, there were no significant differences in respiratory and ventilatory parameters, and also the oxygenation index was comparable between both PCV and PCV-VG modes of ventilation.