Mechanical ventilator

In medicine, a mechanical ventilators are "devices used to produce or assist pulmonary ventilation." Mechanical ventilators may be used in surgery that is performed under general anesthesia or in critical care medicine for patients with respiratory insufficiency from causes such as acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Modes of mechanical ventilation include:

• Intermittent positive-pressure breathing
• Continuous positive airway pressure

Acute respiratory distress syndrome

In the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS),better outcomes may occur with:

• Low tidal volume: 8 mL/kg of body weight or less
• Higher positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP):

Weaning mechanicl ventilation

Details for weaning from mechanical ventilation are available.