Mechanical Ventilation
Mechanical Ventilation is a method to assist or replace spontaneous breathing. This can be a life-saving intervention, but can also cause complications and side effects. Mechanical ventilation is often used in intensive care medicine, home care, and emergency medicine.
Indications[edit | edit source]
Mechanical ventilation is indicated when the patient's spontaneous breathing is inadequate to maintain life. It can also be used to sedate the patient for a short period of time, such as during the operation of a ventilator, or during recovery from a critical illness. The main indications for mechanical ventilation are:
- Acute lung injury including Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Neuromuscular disease or weakness
- Drug overdose
- Anesthesia for surgery
- Sleep apnea
Modes[edit | edit source]
Mechanical ventilation utilizes several modes of ventilation, which are methods of providing breaths that are categorized into two basic types: positive pressure and negative pressure ventilators.
- Positive pressure ventilators work by increasing the patient's airway pressure through an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube.
- Negative pressure ventilators create a negative pressure environment around the chest, causing air to flow into the lungs.
Complications[edit | edit source]
Complications of mechanical ventilation are mainly related to the method of ventilation and the duration of ventilation. Complications include:
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
- Barotrauma
- Pulmonary edema
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- Pneumothorax
See also[edit | edit source]
Mechanical Ventilation Resources | ||
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