Inability to Protect the AirwayВ вЂ“ An unconscious patient with breathing difficulties may be at an increased risk for aspiration.Severe Hypotension вЂ“ Mechanical Ventilation may be indicated in severe episodes of low blood pressure, such as with shock, sepsis, and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).Severe Asthma вЂ“ Mechanical Ventilation may be indicated in patients who are experiencing a severe asthma attack that requires intubation.Acute Lung InjuryВ вЂ“ An acute injury to the lungs that occurs from an event such as sepsis, pneumonia, aspiration, or trauma.ItвЂ™s common in conditions with apnea, chronic respiratory acidosis, such as COPD, and neuromuscular disorders. Mechanical ventilatory support is indicated if the patient has inadequate ventilation by the lungs. Insufficient Ventilation вЂ“ Healthy lungs work to remove carbon dioxide from the body.Mechanical Ventilation helps treat hypoxemia by providing aВ sufficient amount of oxygen into the lungs so that it can be distributed throughout the body. Insufficient OxygenationВ вЂ“ Inadequate oxygenation, which is known as hypoxemia, can impact the functionality of tissues and vital organs in the body if left untreated.The following are examples of conditions in which ventilatory support is needed: In general, Mechanical Ventilation is indicated whenever a patientвЂ™s spontaneous breathing is not adequate enough to sustain life. These are just some of the most common examples. There are other complications of Mechanical Ventilation as well. In general, patients who receive an FiO2 > 60% for extended periods of time are at risk of oxygen toxicity. Oxygen Toxicity вЂ“ This occurs when a patient receives too much oxygen for too long of a period of time.

If left untreated, this condition can progress to barotrauma and collapsed lungs.

Auto-PEEPВ вЂ“ Auto-PEEP, or Intrinsic PEEP, is characterized by over-inflation of the lungs due to large tidal volumes, restrictive airways, or a prolonged inhalation time.

Because Mechanical Ventilation involves the insertion of tubes into the airway, this increases the chances of various microorganisms entering the lungs.

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)В вЂ“ This condition is a lung infection that develops 48 hours or more after a patient has been intubated and placed on the ventilator.

Volutrauma commonly occurs in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and those who had a blood transfusion.

Tidal volume refers to the amount of air that is transported into the lungs during inhalation. VolutraumaВ вЂ“ This condition occurs when the alveoli become filled with fluid due to high tidal volumes.As a result, the lungs collapse which leads to very serious lung conditions that can affect breathing.

BarotraumaВ вЂ“ This is a condition in which the alveoli of the lungs rupture due to overinflation from increased pressure levels.The following are the most common complications of Mechanical Ventilation: Some of which can actually endanger a patientвЂ™s life. While Mechanical Ventilation has its benefits, it also comes with associated risks and complications as well.

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