The goal is symptom control
In young children with troublesome lung symptoms, objective information is hard to come by.
Clinical decisions are often made with little or no objective data.
Now, there is Ventica.
Why Ventica for children
Lung function testing is the cornerstone of both the diagnosis and monitoring of asthma. Measurement of peak flow rate and spirometry are well-established techniques for older children and adults. They are seldom suitable for young children due to the need for collaboration during the measurement.
Ventica enables routine testing of lung function in small children for the first time. Even better, measurements are done overnight while the child is asleep at home - under parental supervision and guidance.
Ventica lung function test has been validated for children aged five years and younger. Ventica is a reliable method for pediatric lung function testing, with a measurement success rate demonstrated to be 90%.
Ventica measurement is
- Usable even during acute airway infections
- Applicable with the routine administration of short-acting reliever medication
Ventica calculates variability in night-time tidal breathing
Ventica lung function testing is based on a novel application of impedance pneumography indirectly measuring lung volume and derived flow-volume loop profiles using a non-intrusive chest electrode configuration.
Trained healthcare professionals set up the Ventica measurement. During an office appointment, a healthcare professional prepares the Ventica Recorder and educates parents on its use. At home, parents place the four electrodes on specified locations near the child’s armpits. Alternatively, the electrodes can be placed by the healthcare professional during the office visit.
The Ventica software analyzes the variability in the shape of the flow-volume curves during tidal breathing. Only data recorded from periods of restful sleep is used. The final result of the analysis is the child’s Expiratory Variability Index (EVI).
A child’s EVI is associated with bronchial obstruction and helps in solving the medication dilemma. Importantly, the child’s EVI reflects their natural “real- life” condition, as no external provocation is involved.
Allowing frequent nightly measurements, Ventica EVI results can reveal if a child has recurring bronchial obstructions (low EVI), indicating recurrent wheeze or asthma. Likewise, for healthy children, EVI varies within the normal range.
Components of the Ventica System
Ventica Recorder
The miniature Ventica Recorder is a battery-operated device for recording and storing the impedance data acquired from the chest electrodes. After night-time recordings, the parents return the device to the clinic for data transfer, automated data analysis, and clinical interpretation.
Ventica Analytics Software
The Ventica Analytics Software is designed for use by trained healthcare professionals. Intuitive and easy-to-learn, the software is used to control the Ventica Recorder, analyze the data and manage patient records.
Although the Ventica Analytics Software is available as a cloud service, it can also be installed on a local server.
Ventica Electrodes
Ventica Electrodes are single-use skin electrodes specially designed for use with the Ventica Recorder. The electrodes feature skin-friendly adhesive to help ensure comfortable attachment and removal. The electrodes are color-coded for simple and verifiable attachment by a trained parent.
Ventica Shirt
A Ventica Shirt and bodysuit help to keep the electrodes in place and support the recorder while the child is asleep. The shirt has an inside pocket designed to keep the device out of reach by the child during measurement. Shirts are available in four sizes for a tight yet comfortable fit for most children. For the smallest children we have a Ventica bodysuit.
The material used in the shirts and bodysuits is ÖkoTex100 certified toxin-free.
