Module 4:

Understanding Mechanical Ventilation

Jennifer Zanni, PT, DScPT
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Objectives
Upon completion of this module, the learner will be able to:
• Identify types of airways and indications and precautions of each
• Identify common modes of ventilation and be able to describe
the assistance each mode provides
• Interpret common alarms associated with mechanical ventilation
and indicate an action for each
• Describe possible complications associated with mechanical
ventilation
• Discuss and synthesize common weaning parameters and
methods
Why is mechanical ventilation
required?
• Impending or existing respiratory failure
• Failure to oxygenate (inadequate exchange of gases at the alveolar
level, as seen in acute respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS])
• Failure to ventilate (decreased mental status or decreased lung
compliance)
• Combination of both

• Airway protection

Cheung AM et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. Sep 1 2006;174(5):538-

544. Fletcher SN et al. Crit Care Med. Apr 2003;31(4):1012-1016.
Herridge MS et al. N Engl J Med. Feb 20 2003;348(8):683-693.
Other things to consider…
• What type of airway is in place?
• What are the ventilator settings and what do they all
mean?
• What do I do if the vent alarms?
• What to I do if the vent fails?
• How do I plan treatment in conjunction with vent
weaning?
Start with the ABC’s…

Airway
Airway Management
• Endotracheal Tube (ETT)
• Can be placed orally (most common)
or nasally
• Passes through the vocal cords
Airway Management
• Tracheostomy tube
• Cuff or cuff less
• Inserted below the vocal cords
• Used in more long-term airway
management
Airway Management
• Airway cuffs:
• Assist with holding the airway in place
• Allow positive pressure ventilation without loss of tidal volume
• May reduce risk of aspiration of oral and gastric secretions
• If patient can talk or is losing tidal volume, the cuff may not be
fully inflated
Ventilator Settings
• Tidal Volume
• PEEP
• Mode (type of assist given by vent)
• Rate (Breaths per minute.Adjusted based on patient’s
own respiratory rate)
• FiO2 (amount of O2 being delivered)
 Actual respiratory rate

Type of
respiration

Mode
Set respiratory rate FiO2
PEEP
PEEP
• Positive End-Expiratory Pressure
• Pressure given in expiratory phase to prevent closure of the
alveoli and allow increased time for O2 exchange
• Used in pts who haven’t responded to treatment and are
requiring high amount of FiO2
• PEEP will lower O2 requirements by recruiting more surface
area
• Normal PEEP is approximately 5cmH20. Can be as high as
20cmH20
Oxygen Therapy
• Prolonged exposure to high levels of oxygen can
be toxic to the lungs
• High FiO2 (>.5) can lead to atelactasis
• Balancing act between FiO2 and PEEP
Modes of Ventilation
Modes of Ventilation
• Controlled Ventilation
• Vent initiates all breaths at a pre-set rate and tidal
volume
• Vent will block any spontaneous breaths
• Used mainly in the OR for paralyzed and sedated
patients.
Modes of Ventilation
• Assist Control (A/C)
• Vent will allow a patient to initiate a breath and then vent
will deliver a pre-set tidal volume
• Machine set at a minimum rate so apnea will not occur if
the patient does not initiate a breath
• Disadvantages:
• Hyperventilation if patient has increased respiratory rate (can
lead to respiratory alkalosis)
• Vent dysynchrony, breath-stacking
Assist Control (A/C)
“Breath-Stacking”
Modes of Ventilation
• Synchronized Intermittent Ventilation (SIMV)
• Similar to A/C, but patients can take own breaths with
their own TV between mechanically assisted breaths
• Can be used as a primary mode or a weaning mode
• May lead to a low respiratory rate in a patient who does
not initiate breaths if set rate is low
SIMV
Modes of Ventilation
• Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV)
• Also called “spontaneous mode”
• Pt initiates breath & vent delivers a pre-set inspiratory
pressure to help overcome airway resistance and keeps
airways open
• Patient controls the rate, tidal volume, and minute ventilation
• Tidal volume is variable
• Can be used in conjunction with SIMV or CPAP settings
Pressure Support (PS)
Modes of Ventilation
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
• Positive airway pressure provided during both inspiration and
expiration
• Vent provides O2 and alarms, but no respirations
• Improves gas exchange and oxygenation in patients able to
breathe on their own
• Can also be used non-invasively via a face or nasal mask for
patients with sleep apnea
Modes of Ventilation
• Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV)
• Differs from conventional vent
• Elevation of airway pressures with brief intermittent releases
of airway pressure
• Facilitates oxygenation and CO2 clearance
• May be an improved way to treat ALI/ ARDS
Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV)
• Bi-Level Airway pressure (BiPAP)
• Delivered by mask, not through an airway
• Similar to CPAP, but can be set at one pressure for
inhalation and another for exhalation.
• Used in sleep apnea, but also has been found to be useful in
patients with CHF and respiratory failure to avoid intubation
Vent Alarms
High Pressure Alarm (common alarm to come and go…more
serious if it continues to alarm):
• Secretions/ needs to be • Water in tubing
suctioned (common) (common)
• Kinked tubing/ • Bronchospasm
malposition of ETT • Pneumothorax
• Pt biting tube/ • Decreased compliance
fighting vent (i.e.ARDS)
Vent Alarms
• Low Pressure Alarm
• Tubing disconnect from vent
• Leak in cuff or tubing connections (if patient can talk around
trach, a leak in the cuff is probable)
• Extubation
• Also alarms for tidal volume, rate, temperature,
and O2
Vent Alarms
• General principles…
• Look at the patient first!!! Then follow tubing to the vent to
search for any disconnections.
• If can’t find the problem and the patient is in distress,
disconnect the patient from the vent and bag with 100% O2
(and call for help)
Complications of Mech Vent
• Asynchrony (“bucking”)
• AutoPEEP
• Patient doesn’t expire full tidal volume and air becomes
trapped
• Can cause increased alveolar damage
• Barotrauma
• Damage to alveoli caused by increased pressure and volume
Complications of Mech Vent
• Hemodynamic compromise
• Nosocomial infection
• Anxiety/ Stress/ Sleep deprivation
• Ulcers/ Gastritis/ Malnutrition
• Muscle deconditioning/ Vent dependence
• Increased intrathoracic pressure leading to systemic
edema due to decreased venous return
Weaning parameters
• Adequate Oxygenation
• PaO2 >60-70 on FiO2 .4 to .5, PEEP 5-8cmH20
• PaO2/FiO2 ratio >150-200
• Adequate Ventilation
• PaCO2 35-45mmHg
• pH 7.3 to 7.45
Weaning parameters
• Adequate Respiratory Mechanics
• Tidal Volume
• Respiratory Capacity
• Minute Ventilation
• Hemodynamic Stability
Spontaneous Breathing Trials
(SBT)
• Spontaneous breathing trials (whether single or
multiple trials) lead to extubation more quickly
than those receiving Pressure Support and IMV for
weaning purposes in patients who are mechanically
ventilated for > 1 week
Weaning parameters
• Signs of distress during weaning…
• Increased tachypnea (>30)
• Increased heart rate
• Irregular breathing pattern or use of accessory muscles
• Agitation or panic unrelieved by assurance
• Decrease pH to less than 7.25-7.3 with increasing PCO2
Treatment Guidelines
• Consider the need for increased FiO2 or vent support
prior to mobilizing a patient in order to maximize their
pulmonary status
• Communicate with medical team to discuss best settings
• Consider how weaning trials may affect the patient’s
ability to participate in therapy. May want to coordinate
working with patients around weaning schedules, and not
during
Mobilizing the Patient requiring
Mechanical Ventilation
• Patients weaning from mechanical ventilation
• Consider each patient’s case and determine their ability to
tolerate both spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs) and rehab
sessions
• May be optimal to treat prior to SBT or after they are rested
• Consider mobility and strengthening first, then weaning
Ambulating a Patient on Mech
Vent
• Requires teamwork with the entire medical team
• Most standard ventilators do not run on battery.
Will likely need to use a portable ventilator or an
ambu-bag to ventilate the patient while mobilizing
Ambulating a Patient on Mech
Vent
• ETT placement
• Make sure tape is secure prior to moving patient!!!
• Look at cm mark at lip before and after treatment to assure
no movement had occurred
• May want to talk with team if patient has an FiO2
of .60 or greater and/or if PEEP is -10cm H2O or
greater to ensure medical stability
Steps to Mobilization…
• Look at Baseline Vitals…
Steps to Mobilization…
• Look at Baseline Vent
Settings…
Steps to Mobilization…
• Locate all, wires, tubes,
etc.
Steps to Mobilization…
• Move IV pole and lines
to the side you are
getting up on (usually
towards the vent)
Steps to Mobilization…
• Assist patient to sitting
at the side of the bed
towards the vent,
making sure that all
lines are accounted for
and have enough slack
Steps to Mobilization…
• Transfer to the chair
while managing lines to
ensure clearance
Steps to Mobilization…
• Try to consolidate
equipment together as
best as you can
Steps to Mobilization…
• Coordinate with RT
to place on portable
vent (if necessary)
Steps to Mobilization…
• Organize as much as
you can to have all
lines in front of the
patient. Make sure no
lines are on the floor
or can get caught in
the equipment.
Steps to Mobilization…

• The RT leads with

vent/IV pole.The PT
supports lines and
vent tubing along with
assisting the patient
Steps to Mobilization…

• Have a tech or nurse

follow with a
wheelchair for safety
Steps to Mobilization…

• Always ensure that

you have control of all
lines and vent
tubing/ETT with all
transfers and
movement of the
patient
References
• Bailey, P.P., Miller, R.R., 3rd, & Clemmer,T.P. (2009, Oct). Culture of early mobility in
mechanically ventilated patients. Crit Care Med, 37(10 Suppl):S429-35.
• Clini, E & Ambrosino, N. (2005, Sep). Early physiotherapy in the respiratory
intensive care unit. Respiratory Medicine, (9):1096-104.
• Ciesla, N. D. (2004). Physical therapy associated with respiratory failure. In
DeTurk, W.E and Cahalin, L.P (Eds.), Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical
Therapy (pp. 541-587). New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Dean, E. (2008). Mobilizing patients in the ICU: Evidence and principles of
practice. Acute Care Prospectives,Vol. 17(1).
• Esteban,A., Frutos, F., & Tobin, M.J. (1995, Feb 9). A comparison of four
methods of weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. Spanish Lung Failure
Collaborative Group. N Engl J Med, 332(6):345-50.
References
• Fessler, H.E. & Hess, D.R. (2007). Respiratory controversies in the critical care
setting. Does high-frequency ventilation offer benefits over conventional
ventilation in adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome?
Respiratory Care. 2007. 52, (5), 595-605.
• Frownfelter, D. (1987). Chest Physical Therapy and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
(pp. 729-744). St. Louis: Mosby.

• Frowley PM and Habashi, NM. Airway Pressure Release Ventilation:Theory

and Practice. AACN. 2001;Vol 12(2), 234-246.
• Hopkins, R.O., & Spuhler,V.J. (2009, Jul-Sep). Strategies for promoting early
activity in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients. ACCN Adv Crit Care,
20(3):277-289.
• Irwin, S and Tecklin, JS. (2004). Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy:A Guide to
Practice, (4th ed.). St Louis: Mosby.
References
• Perme, C., & Chandraskekar, R.K. (2008). Managing the patient on mechanical
ventilation in ICU: Early mobility and walking program. Acute Care
Prospectives,Vol 17(1).
• Sadowsky, H.S. Monitoring and life support equipment. In E.A. Hillegass and H.S.
Sadowsky, Essentials of cardiopulmonary physical therapy. (pp. 509-533). 2001;
Philadelphia: Saunders.
• Stawicki, S.P., Goval, M., & Sarani, B. (2009, Jul-Aug). Frequency oscillatory
ventilation (HFOV) and airway pressure release ventilation (APRV): a practical
guide. J Intensive Care Med, 24(4):215-29. Epub 2009 Jul 17.
• Yosefy, C., Hay, E., & Ben-Barak, A. (2003). BiPAP ventilation as assistance for
patients presenting with respiratory distress in the department of emergency
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• Zanni, J.M., & Needham, D.M. (2010, May). Promoting early mobility and
rehabilitation in the intensive care unit. PT in Motion, 32-39.