Handbook of Mechanical Ventilatory Support

The past few years have brought a steady increase in new ventilatory modes aimed at improving ventilatory assistance. But as ventilators become more complicated and offer more options, the number of potentially dangerous decisions increases as well. This handbook gives practical information on the clinical use and application of modern ventilators so that appropriate decisions may be made and the safest and best ventilatory assistance available may be administered. Subjects covered include general aspects of mechanical ventilation, effects of positive pressure ventilation on various organ systems, various ventilation modes in use today including their mode of operation and potential complications, ventilatory care of specific pathophysiologic states and common pitfalls involved in ventilatory support.