MECHANICAL VENTILATION

The following is only a brief summary of mechanical ventilation.  Refer to a formal textbook for an in depth discussion 

The main issues regarding mechanical ventilation will be considered under these headings:

INDICATIONS

• Clinical applications
• Why control gas exchange?
• Why control work of breathing?
• Criteria for ventilation

VENTILATOR BASICS

• Settings
• Weaning modes
• Special functions - e.g. PEEP, I:E ratio (or inspiratory and expiratory times), flow rates

PATIENT CONSIDERATIONS

• Patient factors - Sedation/Paralysis

OPERATOR ISSUES

• Complications
• Ventilator alarms
• Monitoring

See Practical application with the OxyLog 2000