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Mechanical ventilators are used for patients who cannot breathe on their own due to illness, injury, or surgery. Premature babies may also require them. The ventilator is inserted through a tube in the trachea and sends oxygen to the lungs. There are risks involved, and gradual removal is recommended.
When a patient cannot breathe on their own, a mechanical ventilator may be needed. Illnesses and injuries are the main reasons for patient ventilation, as are some treatments used for these conditions, such as surgery. Generally the ventilator is meant for short-term use, although some patients may require prolonged intubation if the lungs fail to improve or worsen.
The injury is one reason a patient may need a mechanical ventilator. Car accidents, falls, and injuries from gunshots or knives can cause injury directly to the lungs or surrounding areas, leaving the patient short of breath. In these situations, ventilation becomes necessary until the wounds have healed and the patient can breathe on his own.
Many illnesses also involve the use of a mechanical ventilator. A variety of lung disorders and heart problems can cause respiratory failure in a patient. In some cases, the patient may not feel any lack of oxygen directly, but a blood test may reveal that their blood oxygen levels are low and need assistance returning to normal. Ventilation is usually required until the cause of the problem is resolved. In some cases, the disease may not be curable or may be slow to heal. This may result in long-term use of the mechanical ventilator until no further action can be taken or the patient dies.
Even premature babies often need a mechanical ventilator to help them breathe for the first few days or weeks of life. A baby born before the lungs are fully mature may not have the ability to fully breathe on their own, necessitating ventilation until the lungs have time to recover. Sometimes steroids or other lung maturation agents may be given and the child can be taken off the ventilator within a short time. If further problems such as infection arise, however, the ventilator may be needed until those problems are resolved.
Another primary use for a mechanical ventilator is during surgery. Patients undergoing anesthesia do not have the capacity or ability to breathe on their own while the drugs are being administered. A ventilator is used during the operation, as well as for a short time afterward, to allow the drug to wear off and to allow normal breathing.
Mechanical ventilators are inserted by placing a tube down the throat and directly into the trachea. This is the little “tunnel” that runs from the mouth and nose down to the lungs. The ventilator is then connected to the tube and works by sending oxygen through the tube and then removing the carbon dioxide as it “breathes” back.
There are some risk factors involved in using a mechanical ventilator. In very weak or injured lungs, pressure from the ventilator can cause further damage or strain. The tubing used to connect the ventilator can also cause damage to an irritated or injured esophagus and must be inserted with care. Gradual removal or weaning from the ventilator is recommended as soon as it becomes an option.
