Invasive Ventilation 1: Indications, Initial Settings, Basic Modes, Complications
Session Overview
Description
This session describes the modes of mechanical ventilation used on the intensive care unit and addresses the complications associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Session Introduction

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the basic modes of ventilation used within the intensive care unit
• List the complications associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation
• Describe ways to prevent the complications associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation

Mechanical ventilation is the most commonly applied organ support used in the intensive care unit (ICU) (Fig 1).

This session reviews the initial ventilator settings when commencing a patient on mechanical ventilation.

The Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) found 53.7% of medical patients are ventilated invasively on admission to intensive care in the UK. This figure rises to 68% by 24 hours [1](read details regarding the reference).

You will also look at the complications of mechanical ventilation as these are associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality.