[MRI of ventilated neonates and infants: respiratory pressure as trigger signal]

Abstract

Introduction: Motivated by the difficulties often encountered in the setup of respiratory trigger in MR imaging of mechanical ventilated pediatric patients, a simplified approach in terms of time and reliability was sought.

Method: With the help of a male-to-male Luer-Lock adapter in combination with a 3-way adapter the tube of the respiratory compensation below was fixed to the output channel for capnography of the airway filter. Ten patients (age 4 months to 6 years) were tested with spin echo imaging and either respiration compensation (T1-weighted imaging) or respiratory triggered (T2-weighted imaging).

Results: A clear trigger signal was achieved in all cases. No negative influence on the quality or security of the mechanical ventilation of the patients was observed.

Summary: The proposed adapter is safe, efficient and fast to install in patients undergoing MR imaging in general anaesthesia.