Assessing IPPV

Satisfactory ventilation is assessed by:

Fig 1 Monitor showing vital signs monitoring and ventilation
Fig 2 Monitor showing vital signs monitoring and ventilation. CO2 trace
Fig 3 Monitor showing vital signs monitoring and ventilation. Tidal volume

Satisfactory ventilation is assessed by:

  • Watching the bellows fill
  • The CO2 trace
  • The rise and fall of the patient’s chest
  • The measured expired tidal volume
  • An appropriate inflation pressure

Pmax is the peak airway pressure and Pmean is the mean airway pressure.

A sudden rise of pressures during volume control indicates an increase in resistance or a fall in compliance. This is most commonly due to inadequate muscle relaxation, but may indicate a problem with the circuit or TT.

This sign is not seen during pressure control ventilation. In this case, a fall in inspiratory tidal volume will be seen instead.

Fig 4 Pmax reading on a ventilator screen display

Satisfactory ventilation is assessed by:

  • Watching the bellows fill
  • The CO2 trace
  • The rise and fall of the patient’s chest
  • The measured expired tidal volume
  • An appropriate inflation pressure

Pmax is the peak airway pressure and Pmean is the mean airway pressure.

A sudden rise of pressures during volume control indicates an increase in resistance or a fall in compliance. This is most commonly due to inadequate muscle relaxation, but may indicate a problem with the circuit or TT.

This sign is not seen during pressure control ventilation. In this case, a fall in inspiratory tidal volume will be seen instead.

Fig 5 Pmean reading on a ventilator screen display