Comparative Study of Pressure Control Ventilation Versus Volume Control Ventilation in Pediatric ICU Patients Needing Mechanical Ventilation

Abstract

Background: Mechanical ventilation is a critical intervention in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), with Pressure Control Ventilation (PCV) and Volume Control Ventilation (VCV) being the primary modes. Understanding their efficacy and safety in pediatric settings is vital for optimizing patient outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 200 pediatric ICU patients requiring mechanical ventilation, divided equally into PCV and VCV groups. We assessed ventilator-free days, incidence of ventilator-associated complications, and overall survival and clinical improvement rates. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests for categorical data and t-tests for continuous variables.

Results: The PCV group exhibited a significantly higher number of ventilator-free days (mean 17.6 days) compared to the VCV group (mean 16.4 days; p=0.03). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the incidence of ventilator-associated complications (PCV 46% vs. VCV 52%; p=0.28) or overall survival rates (PCV 94% vs. VCV 91%; p=0.35). Clinical improvement was similar across both groups (PCV 87% vs. VCV 84%; p=0.46).

Conclusion: PCV may offer an advantage over VCV in terms of increasing ventilator-free days in pediatric ICU patients, suggesting a potentially quicker recovery phase. However, both ventilation modes showed comparable safety profiles and effectiveness in terms of survival and clinical improvement. These findings support the flexible use of either ventilation mode tailored to individual patient needs in pediatric critical care settings.