From the classroom to the emergency room, OR and beyond.

You're joining trauma ICU rounds with your host, Dr. Dennis Kim.

Welcome back to rounds. I'm your host, Dr. Dennis Kim.

Today we're discussing fundamentals of mechanical ventilation.

This is going to be the first of a series of episodes in which we'll

explore common issues, scenarios, as well as topics in mechanical ventilatory support, ranging

from patient ventilator dysynchrony to proning and high flow oscillatory ventilation.

You know, of the myriad of devices and technology that we use in the ICU, none of them,

save perhaps CRRT, generates more confusion, anxiety or insecurity, as does the ventilator,

which I find very interesting, especially given that the need for invasive ventilation is probably

the most common indication for ICU admission worldwide.

So what is it exactly that makes ventilators so intimidating? Well, I think there's a few things.

Number one, depending on where you practice, you may not actually have an opportunity to tinker

or play with the vent as they may be quote unquote owned by the RTs or RCPs. Shout out

RTs. Also, classification and the nomenclature or terminology and acronyms used to describe different

modes of ventilation varies tremendously, both across manufacturers and amongst

providers. And I think this generates a lot of confusion, as well as inconsistencies in

terms of communicating findings or discussing goals of ventilator management.

So having listened to numerous podcasts, watching, attending, and listening to

others give talks and presentations on mechanical ventilation, what I've noticed is that the vast

majority of discussions around vents really centers on the differences between modes, as well as how

to initiate someone on the ventilator, and a lot of talk about

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