ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces current principles and practices of mechanical ventilation in clinical veterinary patients. Mechanical ventilation has become a key support modality in emergent and critically ill patients. Principles and practice in this area have changed markedly in the past decade due to increased understanding of disease pathophysiology and improvements in ventilator technology. Increased demand for ventilatory support is based on better understanding of how to recognize need and institute therapy, increased availability of technology and support staff to implement therapy, and increased consumer awareness and demand for this level of support. The classic mechanical ventilator has changed into a sophisticated support device that can be used to implement support strategies that were unheard of a decade ago. Mechanical ventilators are classified as positive or negative pressure. Their design is based on their method for achieving pulmonary inflation. Ventilators are classified as “positive pressure” if they require application of positive airway pressure to inflate lungs.
