Mechanical Ventilation

Abstract Mechanical ventilation is one of the most critical tasks performed by anesthesiologists. It is imperative for the anesthesiologist to understand the different modes of mechanical ventilation, their advantages and roles, and possible complications. Volume control ventilation (VCV) ensures a set minute ventilation is delivered, while pressure control ventilation (PCV) regulates the airway pressures delivered. Synchronized intermittent-mandatory ventilation (SIMV) shares many similarities to VCV but with the added benefit of supporting patient-generated respiratory efforts. SIMV is often used when transitioning from mandatory ventilation to pressure support ventilation (PSV), which consists entirely of patient-generated respiratory efforts given mechanical support. Weaning a patient from mechanical ventilation consists of progressively diminishing ventilatory assistance, and there are many factors that may result in difficulty in weaning. Barotrauma and volutrauma are two notable complications related to mechanical ventilation.