ABSTRACT
The primary goal of mechanical ventilatory support in critically ill patients is to help the
lungs eliminate carbon dioxide produced by cellular metabolic processes while waiting for
the underlying disease to resolve. Furthermore, endotracheal intubation permits positive-
pressure ventilation, which may improve oxygenation. Therefore, mechanical ventilation
serves two functions: ventilation, or removal of carbon dioxide, and oxygenation, the
enrichment of blood with oxygen (Table 1).
