Ventilator Basics and Indications
Modes of Mechanical Ventilation
CMV (Continuous Mandatory Ventilation): The
ventilator delivers a set number of breaths at a
set volume or pressure.
AC (Assist Control): Similar to CMV, but the
patient can also trigger breaths. The ventilator
will deliver a set volume or pressure for both
mandatory and triggered breaths.
SIMV (Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory
Ventilation): The ventilator synchronizes
mandatory breaths with the patient's
respiratory effort and allows for spontaneous
breathing between mandatory breaths.
Spontaneous: The patient is in control of their
breathing without any mandatory breaths from
the ventilator.
Volume and Pressure Correlation
Volume-controlled ventilation (VCV): The
ventilator delivers a set tidal volume
irrespective of the patient's effort.
Modes of Mechanical Ventilation
CMV (Continuous Mandatory Ventilation): The
ventilator delivers a set number of breaths at a
set volume or pressure.
AC (Assist Control): Similar to CMV, but the
patient can also trigger breaths. The ventilator
will deliver a set volume or pressure for both
mandatory and triggered breaths.
SIMV (Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory
Ventilation): The ventilator synchronizes
mandatory breaths with the patient's
respiratory effort and allows for spontaneous
breathing between mandatory breaths.
Spontaneous: The patient is in control of their
breathing without any mandatory breaths from
the ventilator.
Volume and Pressure Correlation
Volume-controlled ventilation (VCV): The
ventilator delivers a set tidal volume
irrespective of the patient's effort.
