Ventilator management

Abstract

Respiratory failure is defined as inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system and can be a result of inadequate oxygenation or ventilation. Inadequate oxygenation may be due to the lack of systemic oxygen delivery, a ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch (shunting), or hypoventilation. Alternatively, insufficient ventilation is related to a reduced ventilatory drive resulting from neurologic disorders, muscular weakness, or sedating medications or CO2 retention. Providing mechanical ventilation allows the clinician control over several settings including respirating vate, tidal volume, positive end-expiratory pressure and traction of inspired oxygen mechanical ventilation in most situations should be considered as temporary and supportive until the underlying clinical factors that necessitated intubation are treated and corrected.