Mechanical ventilation

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Respiratory monitoring)

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 units, 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:

Modes[edit | edit source]

There are two main modes of mechanical ventilation: Positive Pressure Ventilation and Negative Pressure Ventilation.

Complications[edit | edit source]

Complications of mechanical ventilation are mainly related to the method of ventilation and the duration of ventilation. They include:

Weaning[edit | edit source]

Weaning is the process of gradually reducing the degree of mechanical ventilation and allowing the patient to resume spontaneous breathing. This can be a complex process and is usually managed by a team of healthcare professionals.

See also[edit | edit source]

Mechanical ventilation Resources

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD