From October 12 to 14, 2026, the 39th ESICM LIVES Congress brought the international critical care community together in Lisbon. At this important academic gathering, Comen presented the launch of COM-PASS, a continuing academic programme built around real clinical questions, expert perspectives and shared learning.

Every clinical decision carries the weight of a particular patient, a particular moment and a particular question. At ESICM LIVES 2026 in Lisbon, Comen placed these questions at the centre of its academic programme, bringing together international experts, clinical discussion and practical learning around respiratory support and mechanical ventilation.

At the heart of this academic journey was the launch of COM-PASS, Comen’s continuing academic programme for international healthcare professionals. Built around real clinical questions, expert clinical reasoning and shared learning, COM-PASS is designed to create an ongoing space for professional exchange across countries, healthcare systems and clinical settings.

▲Comen Booth

Precision in Dialogue: Reframing Respiratory Support Through Physiology

At the Comen Satellite Symposium, a distinguished international faculty of four experts, supported by an experienced panel of moderators, explored how physiological understanding can support more individualized approaches to respiratory care. Bringing together perspectives from critical care, anaesthesiology and respiratory medicine, the session reflected the depth and breadth of current thinking around respiratory support. Across the discussion, one question remained central: how can clinicians better understand each patient’s unique physiological condition and make more personalized decisions in ventilatory support?

The Symposium drew a strong audience and created an engaging atmosphere for academic exchange. With the Comen V8 Advanced ICU Ventilator alongside the programme, the academic discussion remained connected to the clinical context in which these decisions are made.

▲Comen Satellite Symposium

Practical Insight: Bringing Clinical Reasoning into Practice

Moving from discussion to practice, the academic exchange continued through hands-on workshops focused on Acute Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation. Held in the Education Area dedicated to Acute Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation (ARF & MV), the sessions provided an interactive setting to explore practical aspects of ventilator management, including Setting the Ventilator in Obstructive Lung Disease. Using the Comen V8 ICU Ventilator as the workshop platform, participants examined ventilation settings, respiratory monitoring and lung-protective approaches in a practical clinical context.

▲Hands-on Workshop

At the Comen booth, the clinical challenge extended this learning experience through a simplified critical-care scenario involving the K22 Pro Patient Monitor, EP50 Diagnostic Ultrasound System, and V8 Ventilator. Participants reviewed clinical information, identified key challenges, and explored appropriate decision-making pathways through interactive scenarios. At the V8 station, participants identified high-pressure alarms and waveform changes, selected a safe next step, adjusted a key ventilation parameter or alarm setting, and reassessed the patient’s condition. The exercise highlighted the V8’s support for alarm recognition, waveform analysis and ventilation adjustment in clinical decision-making.

▲Clinical Challenge at the Comen Booth

An Open Horizon: Extending the Conversation Beyond Lisbon

COM-PASS began in Lisbon with a clear vision: to enable clear, responsible and valuable exchange of high-quality clinical experience across countries, healthcare systems and career stages.

Looking ahead, Comen will continue to expand COM-PASS through academic sessions, case discussions, expert roundtables, hands-on workshops and other educational content focused on critical care, respiratory support and mechanical ventilation. Through these ongoing activities, the programme aims to connect clinical experience across regions and support meaningful learning beyond individual events.

As Comen continues to deepen its engagement in global critical care, the company remains committed to advancing medical innovation through close connection with healthcare professionals and clinical needs. By integrating technological development with clinical insights, Comen will continue to support clinicians worldwide and contribute to the future evolution of intensive care.

▲Comen Group Photo