FCV Vs VCV in Obstructive and Asthmatic Patients

Who May Qualify: - 18 years or older; - Provided written willing to sign a consent form; - Undergoing controlled mechanical ventilation via an endotracheal tube; - Reason for intubation being exacerbation of asthma or COPD; - Intubated ≤72 hours Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - Severe sputum stasis or production requiring frequent bronchial suctioning (more than 5 times per nurse shift) - Untreated pneumothorax (i.e. no pleural drainage) - Hemodynamic instability defined as a mean arterial pressure below 60mmHg not responding to fluids and/or vasopressors or a noradrenalin dose \>0.5mcrg/kg/min - High (\>15 mmHg) or instable (an increase in sedation or osmotherapy is required) intracranial pressure - An inner tube diameter of 6mm or less - Anticipating withdrawal of life support and/or shift to palliation as the goal of care - Inability to perform adequate electrical impedance tomography (EIT) measurements with, e.g.: - Have a thorax circumference inappropriate for EIT-belt - Thoracic wounds, bandages or deformities preventing adequate fit of EIT-belt - Recent (\<7 days) pulmonary surgery including pneumonectomy, lobectomy or lung transplantation - ICD device present (potential interference with proper functioning of the EIT device and ICD device) - Excessive subcutaneous emphysema - Contra-indications for nasogastric tube or inability to perform adequate transpulmonary pressure measurements with, e.g.: - Recent esophageal surgery - Prior esophagectomy - Known presence of esophageal varices - Severe bleeding disorders Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.