Automatic tube compensation

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The automatic tube compensation (engl. Automatic Tube Compensation ATC) is an optional extra in the ventilator .

With the help of this function, the ventilation pressure is adapted to the tube resistance in order to make the work of breathing , which is increased by the tube narrowing the airways, easier for the patient.

This additional pressure support requires the adjustment of the inner diameter and the distinction between the tracheostomy tube and the endotracheal tube (indirectly the length), as the resistance depends on this. You can also set the degree of compensation, values ​​between 80 and 100% are common. From this data, the respirator calculates the pressure support required for the respective gas flow, so that a spontaneously breathing patient has the feeling that he is not intubated from the exertion of breathing. This makes it possible to assess whether the patient can do the breathing work without a tracheal tube or whether he needs further support, which is why the ATC is also called “electronic extubation”.

ATC is a registered trademark of Drägerwerk AG.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Martin Bachmann: Ventilation. In: Jörg Braun, Roland Preuss (Ed.): Clinic Guide Intensive Care Medicine. 9th edition. Elsevier, Munich 2016, ISBN 978-3-437-23763-8 , pp. 95–130, here: p. 110.