ABSTRACT
A secondary goal is to prevent or minimize the adverse effects and complications that can occur with this intervention. For example, the risk of barotrauma or hemodynamic compromise is greater in patients with airflow obstruction or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and often necessitates specific ventilatory strategies. In other patients, their condition allows a trial of noninvasive ventilatory techniques that avoid the hazards of artificial airways. Thus, the appropriate method of mechanical ventilation depends on the clinical problem for which ventilatory support is required. Examples of this type of clinical decision making follow a review of the physiological principles and terminology of mechanical ventilation.
