Artificial ventilation

A respiratory therapist providing artificial ventilation to a patient.

Artificial ventilation, also known as mechanical ventilation, is a method to assist or replace spontaneous breathing. This technique is used in patients who are unable to breathe on their own or require assistance to maintain adequate ventilation. Artificial ventilation is a critical component in the management of patients with respiratory failure, during anesthesia, and in intensive care units.

Types of Artificial Ventilation

Artificial ventilation can be broadly categorized into two types:

Positive Pressure Ventilation

Positive pressure ventilation involves the delivery of air or a mixture of gases into the lungs under positive pressure during inspiration. This method is commonly used in intensive care units and during anesthesia.

• Invasive Ventilation: This involves the use of an endotracheal tube or a tracheostomy tube to deliver air directly into the patient's lungs.
• Non-invasive Ventilation: This method uses a mask or similar device to deliver air without the need for an invasive tube.

Negative Pressure Ventilation

Negative pressure ventilation mimics natural breathing by creating a negative pressure environment around the thorax, causing air to flow into the lungs. This method is less commonly used today but was historically significant in devices like the iron lung.

Indications for Artificial Ventilation

Artificial ventilation is indicated in various clinical scenarios, including:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations
• Neuromuscular disorders affecting respiratory muscles
• Anesthesia during surgical procedures
• Traumatic brain injury with compromised respiratory function

Complications of Artificial Ventilation

While life-saving, artificial ventilation can lead to complications such as:

• Ventilator-associated pneumonia
• Barotrauma
• Volutrauma
• Atelectasis
• Tracheal injury

Role of the Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the management of patients requiring artificial ventilation. They are responsible for:

• Setting up and adjusting ventilator settings
• Monitoring patient response to ventilation
• Performing arterial blood gas analysis
• Weaning patients from mechanical ventilation

Related Pages

• Mechanical ventilator
• Respiratory failure
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Critical care medicine