A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to collect patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation. Patients were randomly assigned to receive PAV+ or PSV as weaning mode. Weaning outcomes were compared between 2 groups.

Pressure support ventilation (PSV) the most frequently used mode of ventilator support in intensive care units, but has several demerits. Proportional assist ventilation with load-adjustable gain factors (PAV+) is a promising mode with better patient synchrony and weaning advantages. However, weaning outcome of PAV+ in patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation has not been evaluated before. We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial in a tertiary medical center. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness between PAV+ and PSV for weaning adult patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation and transfer to respiratory care center, age of 20 years or older, at least 1 time of extubation failure or spontaneous breathing trial failure in ICU, stable hemodynamics, no vasopressor use, FiO2 = 0.40 or less, external positive end-expiratory pressure = 5 cmH2O or less, PaO2 > 60 mmHg, and body temperature < 38ºC (within 24 hours).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with bronchopleural fistulas, central neurological disorders, hemodialysis, and those with pressure support level already < 15 cmH2O.