Mechanical Ventilation Program

There are many different types of mechanical ventilation, and it is necessary to know the type of ventilation used, as this affects how it should be managed. The following are different types of mechanical ventilation:

Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation

Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) helps patients who have difficulty breathing even though they do not have respiratory failure. These patients have various diagnoses, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiac failure, pneumonia, asthma, and lung cancer. The ventilator gives patients a little bit of pressure or support with each breath they take. NPPV may be used for a short period (acute ventilatory support) or long-term (chronic ventilatory support).

Non-invasive ventilation works like this: the patient breathes in and out through a mask covering their mouth and nose. This type of mask is called a “nose mask” or “bilevel mask.” When the patient breathes, the breathing is assisted with a boost in pressure at the end of each breath. The ventilator can be a machine placed in the room near the bed, or it can be an advanced electronic system connected to the patient’s own ventilator. The most common type of non-invasive ventilation is “bilevel positive pressure ventilation.” This type of ventilator uses two levels of pressure for each breath: inspiration and expiration. The inspiratory boost helps the patient breathe easier. The expiratory boost reduces the work of breathing (respiratory resistance) and helps to prevent barotrauma. It also keeps patients from getting too tired while they cannot breathe through their ventilator very well.

Non-invasive ventilation is a medical therapy that creates positive airway pressure (PAP) within the lungs by using a ventilator. It helps patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, to breathe more easily. The ventilator gently and automatically provides high-volume short-acting ventilation (HVSA) to the lungs. HVSA helps to increase oxygenation of the blood and the formation of carbon dioxide gas. It helps patients who have COPD. Non-invasive ventilation can also help to prevent respiratory failure and other lung problems.

Non-invasive ventilation is used for patients who are no longer able to breathe independently but are not yet ready for an invasive ventilator (tracheal tube) or respirator (mechanical ventilator). Non-invasive ventilation allows patients to continue to use their own diaphragm and the muscles around the chest and abdomen for breathing. This is known as breathing on their own or “autogenic” breathing.

Continuous positive airway pressure

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a form of non-invasive ventilation that uses a machine to deliver air pressure for the person to breathe through. A CPAP machine consists of a mask that fits over the nose and mouth and two hoses with air valves and air lines that go into each nostril. The CPAP mask gives an extra boost of air pressure — called positive end-expiratory pressure — as the patient exhales.

Bilevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP) machine: This is one of the most common types of ventilators used in mechanical ventilation programs. This device is usually used for patients who are suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This machine adjusts the pressure inside their lungs by inflating or deflating them, depending on the patient’s need. The machine also provides patients with oxygen through a mask that fits over their faces to help them breathe. A BiPAP machine consists of a mask that fits over the nose and mouth and two hoses with air valves and air lines that go into each nostril. The mask gives an extra boost of air pressure as the patient inhales and another boost just before they exhale — called positive inspiratory pressure. BiPAP provides two levels of pressure for each breath and is the most common type of non-invasive ventilation.

It may be possible to use CPAP or BiPAP together with a face mask without a nose cuff in an emergency. However, this is only used in a life-threatening situation, such as near-drowning. The person will look very sick (for example, their skin maybe blue), but they should begin breathing again when placed on the ventilator.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure with a High Negative Pressure Ventilation Backup

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure with a High Negative Pressure Ventilation Backup (CPAP-B) is a form of non-invasive ventilation that uses a machine to deliver air pressure for the person to breathe through. A CPAP-B machine consists of a mask that fits over the nose and mouth and two hoses with air valves and air lines that go into each nostril.

Positive end-expiratory pressure

Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) machine: This is another type of ventilator used for patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Unlike BIPAP, this device is used to inflate the patient’s lungs so that they can breathe. The device is connected to the endotracheal tube that goes from the trachea to the lungs to provide positive pressure.

Venturi mask

Venturi mask: This is a ventilator used for patients who are suffering from respiratory failure. The machine has a bellows or cup that holds air and blows it into the patient’s lungs while adjusting its pressure based on need.

Foley catheter

Foley catheter: This is a type of ventilator that is used in patients who are suffering from various conditions, including pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and respiratory failure. The machine adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the patient’s lungs. It is connected to a catheter that goes through the lumen into the trachea while being placed over the esophagus to the lungs.

These are some of the commonly used types of ventilators in mechanical ventilation sessions. Of course, other types of ventilators are used in these programs, but the above are some of the common ones.