Tag: Mechanical Ventilation

Simplifying Mechanical Ventilation – Part 3: Severe Metabolic Acidosis

by Frank Lodeserto MD posted June 18, 2018 No Comments

Before I set up the ventilator, I consider if my patient has one of the following 3 physiologic processes: severe metabolic acidosis, an obstructive process (Asthma or COPD), or refractory hypoxemia. If my patient doesn’t fit into one of these ...

Thoracic and Respiratory

Simplifying Mechanical Ventilation – Part 2: Goals of Mechanical Ventilation & Factors Controlling Oxygenation and Ventilation

by Frank Lodeserto MD posted May 18, 2018 No Comments

In part 1, we discussed that the ventilator can deliver 3 types of breaths: controlled, assisted or spontaneous breaths. These breaths can be delivered either by a set pressure or a set tidal volume. Then we closed with a discussion ...

Thoracic and Respiratory

Simplifying Mechanical Ventilation – Part I: Types of Breaths

by Frank Lodeserto MD posted March 8, 2018 No Comments

Mechanical Ventilation is a modality commonly used in the critically ill, but many providers, may not have a strong understanding of the basics. Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Physicians need to have a firm grasp of the basic concepts of ...

Thoracic and Respiratory