Nitric Oxide Delivery Calculator
Calculator Algorithm:NO Flow Rate = V x D / C
The equation has four variables: NO Flow Rate (F) , Ventilator Flow Rate (V), Prescribed NO Dose (D) and Nitric Oxide Cylinder Concentration (C).
This calculator is only accurate when using ventilators with a constant flow of gases - the great majority of neonatal ventilators.
When using the Draeger Babylog 8000 in High Frequency mode, the gas flow will vary with MAP, frequency and amplitude. In that case a specialised injection system such as the Inovent (which will vary the flow of NO as the flow of ventilator gas changes) will remove the need to use this calculation.
NO delivery via paediatric and adult ventilators also usually needs to be via specialised injection systems.
Use of the calculator does not mean that analysers do not need to be used, as leaks in the delivery system can occur causing changes in dosage. The NO level measured by the analyser should coincide with the dose set as calculated above. Any major discrepancy must be investigated immediately and its cause rectified.
