PRESSURE SUPPORT VENTILATION

The field of ventilatory support has changed dramatically with the int roduction of improvements in technology and new ventilatory modes, The most recent ventilators are characterized by microprocessor technolog y, making the interaction between patient and ventilator more sophisti cated than ever before. This technology has enabled the development of pressure support ventilation, which has gained extensive popularity d uring the past 10 years. Pressure support ventilation is different fro m controlled mechanical ventilation or intermittent mandatory ventilat ion; pressure support ventilation is characterized by a unique combina tion of simultaneous spontaneous and mechanical breathing, so that the ventilatory and flow rates and tidal volume depend on the patient's b reathing pattern and the set level of pressure support, Pressure suppo rt ventilation can be used as a stand-alone ventilatory support mode a nd alternative to volume-controlled ventilation, and it can be used in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation.