Mechanical Ventilation - Indications For Use

Indications For Use

Mechanical ventilation is indicated when the patient's spontaneous ventilation is inadequate to maintain life. It is also indicated as prophylaxis for imminent collapse of other physiologic functions, or ineffective gas exchange in the lungs. Because mechanical ventilation only serves to provide assistance for breathing and does not cure a disease, the patient's underlying condition should be correctable and should resolve over time. In addition, other factors must be taken into consideration because mechanical ventilation is not without its complications (see below)

Common medical indications for use include:

• Acute lung injury (including ARDS, trauma)
• Apnea with respiratory arrest, including cases from intoxication
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Acute respiratory acidosis with partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO₂) > 50 mmHg and pH < 7.25, which may be due to paralysis of the diaphragm due to Guillain-Barré syndrome, Myasthenia Gravis, spinal cord injury, or the effect of anaesthetic and muscle relaxant drugs
• Increased work of breathing as evidenced by significant tachypnea, retractions, and other physical signs of respiratory distress
• Hypoxemia with arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) < 55 mm Hg with supplemental fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) = 1.0
• Hypotension including sepsis, shock, congestive heart failure
• Neurological diseases such as Muscular Dystrophy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis