A medical machine that assists patients who have difficulty breathing. The machine helps the lungs work by blowing air into a patient’s airway through a breathing tube.

The patient is first given sedation. One end of a tube is then inserted into the nose or mouth and down into the windpipe and the other end is attached to the ventilator (this process is called intubation). Air flows from the ventilator into the lungs, ensuring adequate levels of oxygen are maintained in the bloodstream to sustain life. Ventilation is used in cases of COVID-19 when patients develop severe pneumonia or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) hat can lead to respiratory failure. 

Categories:

Treatment

Cross-reference:

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)Respiratory distressRespiratory diseaseRespiratory tractCPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)COVID-19