This document provides guidelines for mechanical ventilation monitoring and management. It outlines an algorithm for initial intubation settings and adjustments based on oxygen saturation levels. It describes strategies for improving ventilation and oxygenation such as correcting PaCO2 abnormalities by adjusting rate and tidal volume, and using FiO2 and PEEP to optimize oxygenation levels while avoiding lung injury. Key concepts covered include permissive hypercapnia, selecting optimal PEEP, and indications for PEEP therapy.
4. Post Initial Settings
• Obtain an ABG (arterial blood gas) about 30 minutes after you
set your patient up on the ventilator.
• information about any changes that may need to be made
to keep the patient’s oxygenation and ventilation status
within a physiological range.
• First 30 – 60 minutes: evaluate
• vital signs,
• breath sounds,
• ventilator parameters,
• lung compliance and resistance,
• the artificial airway,
• patient response to therapy
5. Improving Ventilation / Oxygenation
1. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
2. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
6. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• A change in VE will often be needed when
a patient is first placed on mechanical
ventilation to correct for respiratory
alkalosis or acidosis; this is facilitated by
making a change in VT or rate (f)
7. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• Methods of Changing Ventilation Based on PaCO2 and pH
• If it is appropriate to keep rate (f) constant and change
VT, the equations is as follows:
Desired VT = Known PaCO2 x Known VT
Desired PaCO2
• If it is appropriate to keep VT the same and change
rate (f), then the equations is as follows:
Desired f = Known PaCO2 x Known f
Desired PaCO2
8. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• (Respiratory Acidosis)
– Volume and Pressure Ventilation Changes
• When PaCO2 is elevated (>45 mm Hg) and pH is decreased (<7.35),
respiratory acidosis is present and VA is not adequate
– Causes
• PE, Pneumonia
• Airway disease (e.g., severe asthma attack)
• Pleural abnormalities (e.g., effusions)
• Chest wall abnormalities
• Neuromuscular disease
• CNS problems
– Treatment:
• VT to 8 – 12 mL/kg ideal body weight (based on patient’s pulmonary
problem)
• Maintain plateau pressure <30 cm H2O
• If VT is already high and/or Pplateau are already high, then f should be
increased
.
9. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• (Respiratory Alkalosis)
– Volume and Pressure Ventilation Changes
• When PaCO2 is decreased (<35 mm Hg) and pH increases
(>7.35), then respiratory alkalosis is present and alveolar
ventilation is excessive
– Causes
• Hypoxia with compensatory hyperventilation
• Parenchymal lung disease
• Medications
• Mechanical ventilation
• CNS disorders
• Anxiety
• Metabolic disorders
– Treatment:
• Volume ventilation: f, and if necessary, VT
• Pressure ventilation: f, and if necessary, pressure
10. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• Metabolic Acidosis and Alkalosis
– Treatment of metabolic acidosis and alkalosis
should focus on identifying those metabolic
factors that can cause these acid-base
disturbances
– These patients are often struggling to lower their
PaCO2 to compensate for the metabolic acidemia. As
a consequence, these patients are at risk for
developing respiratory muscle fatigue
– If the patient is losing the struggle to maintain high
with spontaneous breathing, assisted ventilation may
be necessary to avoid respiratory failure. It is then
appropriate to keep the pH (7.35 – 7.45)
11. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• (Metabolic Acidosis)
– Causes
• Ketoacidosis (alcoholism, starvation, diabetes)
• Uremic acidosis (renal failure to excrete acid)
• Loss of bicarbonate (diarrhea)
• Renal loss of base following administration of carbonic
anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., Diamox)
• Overproduction of acid (lactic acidosis)
• Toxin ingest that produce acidosis (salicylate, ethylene glycol
[antifreeze], methanol
– Treatment:
• Treatment should first deal with the cause of the acidosis
• Secondly, assess the need to reverse the acidemia with some
form of alkaline agent
12. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• (Metabolic Alkalosis)
– Causes
• Loss of gastric fluid and stomach acids (vomiting, nasogastric
suctioning)
• Acid loss in the urine (diuretic administration)
• Acid shift into the cells (potassium deficiency)
• Lactate, acetate, citrate administration
• Excessive bicarbonate loads (bicarbonate administration)
– Treatment:
• Treatment should first deal with the cause of the acidosis
• Secondly, assess the need to reverse the acidemia with some form of
alkaline agent
• Treatment involves correcting the underlying cause and reversing those
factors leading to the alkalosis. In severe cases, carbonic anhydrate
inhibitors, acid infusion, and low bicarbonate dialysis my be required
– Only in rare circumstances does partial respiratory compensation of metabolic
alkalosis occur – PaCO2 will usually not rise higher than 55 mm Hg (Remember
that as the CO2 rises, the PaO2 falls)
13. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• Increased Physiological Dead Space
– If pure respiratory acidosis persists even after
alveolar ventilation has been increased, the
patient may have a problem with increased
dead space
– Causes
• Pulmonary emboli
• Low cardiac output low pulmonary perfusion
• High alveolar pressure (PEEP) pulmonary blood
flow
• Air trapping pulmonary perfusion
14. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• Increased Metabolism and Increased CO2 Production
– Metabolic rate and VCO2 are increased in the following
patients:
• Fever
• Sepsis
• Burns
• Multiple trauma and multiple surgical procedures
• Hyperthyroidism
• Seizures
– In these patients VE is increased and WOB is elevated
– Treatment:
• Increase machine rate to WOB: may cause auto-peep
• Add pressure support for spontaneous breaths to WOB through ET
and circuit
• Switch to PC-CMV, use sedation to WOB
.
15. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• Intentional Iatrogenic Hyperventilation
– Definition
• Deliberate hyperventilation in patients with acute head injury and
increased intracranial pressure (ICP)
– Hyperventilation reduces PaCO2 which causes vasoconstriction of cerebral blood
vessels and decreases blood flow to the brain and is believed to lower increased
intracranial pressure ICP
– Current therapy guideline for head injuries with increased ICP
do not recommend prophylactic hyperventilation (PaCO2 <25
mm Hg) during the first 24 hours - may cause cerebral ischemia
and cerebral hypoxemia
– Treatment:
• Hyperventilation may be needed for brief periods when acute
neurological deterioration is present and ICP elevated
• Mild hyperventilation (PaCO2 30 – 35 mm Hg) may be used for
longer periods in a situation in which increased ICP is refractory
to standard treatment
16. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• Permissive Hypercapnia (PHY)
– Definition
• Deliberate limitation of ventilatory support to avoid lung
overdistention and injury of lung
– ARDS or Status asthmaticus
• PaCO2 values are allowed to rise above normal
– ≥50 – 150 mm Hg
• pH values are allowed to fall below normal
– ≥7.10 – 7.30
– Most researchers agree pH ≥7.25 is acceptable
– PaCO2 accompanied PaO2
• O2 administration must be provided and monitored closely
– PaCO2 stimulates the drive to breath
• Appropriate to provide sedation to patients in whom PHY is
being employed
17. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• Permissive Hypercapnia (PHY)
– Procedures for Managing PHY
1. Allow PaCO2 to rise and pH to fall without changing
mandatory rate or volume
a. Sedate the patient
b. Avoid high ventilating pressures
c. Maintain oxygenation
2. Reduce CO2 production
a. Paralyze
b. Cool
c. Restrict glucose
3. Keep pH >7.25
a. Sodium bicarbonate
b. Tris-hydroxiaminomethane (an amino buffer)
c. Carbicarb (mixture of sodium carbonate and bicarbonate
18. Correcting PaCO2 Abnormalities
• Permissive Hypercapnia (PHY)
– Contraindications and Effects of PHY
• Head trauma
• Intracranial disease
• Intracranial lesions
– Relatively contraindicated in the following
• Cardiac ischemia
• Left ventricular compromise
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Right heart failure
– The use of PHY is restricted to situations in which the target
airway pressure is at its maximum and the highest possible
rates are being used
– The risks of hypercapnia are considered by some to be
preferable to the high Pplat required to achieve normal CO2
levels
19. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Adjusting FiO2
– Every attempt should be made to maintain the FiO2 <0.40 to
0.50 to prevent the complications of O2 toxicity while keeping
the PaO2 between 60 and 90 mm Hg
• This goal is not always possible and sometimes a higher FiO2 is required
– The SpO2 can be used to titrate FiO2, with the goal of
maintaining the SpO2 >90%
• The SaO2 on an ABG is used to establish the relationship with the current SpO2
– ABGs are obtained after mechanical ventilation is initiated and
compared with FiO2 being delivered and the SpO2 to establish
their relationships
– A linear relationship exists between PaO2 and FiO2 as long as
VE, CO, Shunt, VD/VT remain fairly constant (cardiopulmonary
status)
.
20. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Adjusting FiO2
– Because of the linear correlation between PaO2
and FiO2 the following equation can be used to
select the desired FiO2 to achieve a desired
PaO2:
– Desired FiO2 = PaO2 (desired) x FiO2 (known)
PaO2 (known)
– Exercise:
After being supported on a ventilator for 30 minutes, a
patient’s PaO2 is 40 mm Hg on an FiO2 of 0.50. Acid-
base status is normal and all other ventilator parameters
are within the acceptable range. What FiO2 is required
to achieve a desired PaO2 of 60 mm Hg?
21. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
Desired FiO2 = PaO2 (desired) x FiO2 (known)
PaO2 (known)
Desired FiO2 = (60 mm Hg) (0.50 FiO2)
40 mm Hg
Desired FiO2 = 0.75
22. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Selection of FiO2 or Adjustment of Paw
– Maintaining an FiO2 >60 may lead to:
• O2 toxicity
• Absorption atelectasis
– Lower limits of target PaO2 is 60 mm Hg
– Lower limits of target SpO2 is 90%
– When PaO2 remains very low on high FiO2, significant
shunting, V/Q abnormalities , and/or diffusion defects are
present - other methods to improve oxygenation, besides
increasing FiO2, must be considered
• Paw
– PEEP
– HFOV
– APRV
23. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Selection of FiO2 or Adjustment of Paw
• Paw can be used to increase the PaO2
• Factors that affect Paw during PPV
– PIP
– PEEP
– Auto-PEEP
– I:E ratio
– Respiratory rate
– Inspiratory flow patterns
24. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Selection of FiO2 or Adjustment of Paw
• Paw is a major determinant of oxygenation in patients with
ARDS
– Mean alveolar pressure oxygenation
– Alveolar recruitment oxygenation
• Typical method to increase Paw
– PEEP
• Other methods to increase Paw
– HFOV
– APRV
• Paw must be monitored closely to prevent:
– Air trapping
– Overdistention
– Barotrauma (e.g. pneumothorax)
– Venous return
– CO
25. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
– Goals of PEEP
• Enhance tissue oxygenation
• Maintain a PaO2 above 60 mm Hg, and SpO2 ≥90% at
an acceptable pH
• Restore FRC
– These goals my be accompanied by the
opportunity to reduce the FiO2 to safer levels
(<0.50) as PEEP becomes effective
• Must maintain cardiovascular function and avoid lung
injury
26. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
– Minimum or Low PEEP
• PEEP at 3 – 5 cm H2O to help preserve a patient’s
normal FRC
– Therapeutic PEEP
• PEEP >5cm H2O
• Used in the treatment of refractory hypoxemia caused
by increased intrapulmonary shunting and V/Q
mismatching accompanied by a decreased FRC and
pulmonary compliance
27. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
– Optimal PEEP
• The level of PEEP at which the maximum beneficial effects of
PEEP occur
– O2 transport
– FRC
– Compliance
– Shunt
• The level of PEEP is considered optimum because it is not
associated with profound cardiopulmonary side effects
– Venous return
– CO
– BP
– Shunting
– VD/VT
– Barotrauma
– Volutrauma
• Accompanied by safe levels of FiO2
28. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
– Indications for PEEP Therapy
• Bilateral infiltrates on chest radiograph
• Recurrent atelectasis
• Reduced CL
• PaO2 <60 mm Hg on high FiO2 of >0.5
• PaO2/FiO2 ratio <200 for ARDS and <300 for ALI
• Refractory hypoxemia: PaO2 increases <10 with FiO2
increase of 0.2
29. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
– Specific clinical disorders that may benefit
from PEEP
• ALI
• ARDS
• Cardiogenic PE
• Bilateral, diffuse pneumonia
30. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
– Application of PEEP
• Increased in increments of 3 – 5 cm H2O in adults, 2 – 3 cm H2O in infants
• Target acceptable PaO2/FiO2 ratio at a safe FiO2
– >300 (e.g., PaO2 = 100, with FiO2 = 0.33
(optimal, but not always realistic)
• Patient Appearance
– Color, level of consciousness, anxiety – a sudden deterioration may indicate
cardiovascular collapse or pneumothorax
• Blood Pressure
– BP of 20 mm Hg systolic drop is significant
• Breath Sounds
– Barotrauma, e.g., pneumothorax
• Ventilator Parameters
– VT, Flow, PIP, plateau pressure, VE
• Static Compliance (CS)
– As PEEP progressively restores FRC, compliance should increase
– Too Much PEEP Overdistention CS
31. Volume
Pressure
Zone of
Overdistention
“Safe”
Window
Zone of
Derecruitment
and Atelectasis
Injury
Injury
Optimized Lung Volume “Safe Window”
• Overdistension
– Edema fluid accumulation
– Surfactant degradation
– High oxygen exposure
– Mechanical disruption
• Derecruitment, Atelectasis
– Repeated closure / re-expansion
– Stimulation inflammatory response
– Inhibition surfactant
– Local hypoxemia
– Compensatory overexpansion
32. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
– Application of PEEP
• Arterial PO2, FiO2, and PaO2/FiO2
– The usual approach to the management of FiO2 and PEEP is to start with
high FiO2 and incrementally decrease it as PEEP improves oxygenation
• Arterial to End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Tension Gradient
– Normal P(a-et)CO2 gradient is 4.5 ± 2.5 (Pilbeam)
– Is lowest when gas exchange units are maximally recruited without being
overdistended
– If P(a-et)CO2 gradient increases minimal acceptable values, it signifies that
too much PEEP has been added and is producing a drop in cardiac output
and in increase in VD/VT
• Arterial-to-Venous Oxygen Difference (C(a-v)O2) reflects O2
utilization by the tissues
– Normal value is 5 vol%
– Increases in C(a-v)O2 with increases in PEEP may indicate hypovolemia,
cardiac malfunction, decreased venous return to the heart, and decreased
cardiac output from PEEP
33. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
– Application of PEEP
• Mixed Venous O2 Tension or Saturation
– Normal PvO2 = 35–40 mm Hg
(minimal acceptable is 28 mm Hg)
– Normal SvO2 = 75%
(minimal acceptable is 50%)
– PEEP usually improves PvO2 and SvO2
– When PvO2 and/or SvO2 decrease, with a increase C(a-v)O2 increase, this
indicates a decrease in cardiac output – TOO MUCH PEEP
• Cardiac Output
– Cardiac output provide key information about the body’s response to PEEP
– PEEP improves V/Q Oxygenation CO
– Too much PEEP Overdistention Venous return CO
34. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
– Application of PEEP
• Pulmonary Vascular Pressure Monitoring
– When using PEEP >15 cm H2O, it is important to closely
evaluate the patient’s hemodyamic status, which may require
the placement of a pulmonary artery catheter
– If pulmonary artery occluding pressure (PAOP), also known as
“wedge pressure,” rises markedly as PEEP is increased, the
lungs may be overinflated
– On the other hand, when PEEP rises, PAOP may be markedly
decreased because of pulmonary blood flow is reduced as a
result of decreased venous return to the right side of the
heart
35. Oxygenation Using FiO2 and PEEP
• Positive End Expiratory Pressure (PEEP)
– Weaning From PEEP
• Patient should demonstrate an acceptable PaO2 on an FiO2 of <0.40
• Must be hemodynamically stable and nonseptic
• Lung conditions should have improved
– CS, PaO2/FiO2 ratio
• Reduce PEEP in 5 cm H2O increments
• Evaluate SpO2 within 3 minutes to determine effect – if it falls <20%
from previous PEEP level, the patient is ready to tolerate lower PEEP
level. If SpO2 drops >20% place PEEP at previous level
• Wait between reductions in PEEP and reevaluate the initial criteria. If
the patient is stable, reduce PEEP by another 5 cm H2O. This may
take 1 hour or may require as long as 6 hours or more
• When the patient is at 5 cm H2O, an additional evaluation is
necessary. If reducing the PEEP to zero result is a worsening of the
patient, then it may be appropriate to leave the patient at 5 cm H2O
until extubation
36. Indications for extubation
•Clinical parameters
• Resolution/Stabilization of disease
process
• Hemodynamically stable
• Intact cough/gag reflex
• Spontaneous respirations
• Acceptable vent settings
• FiO2< 50%, PEEP < 8, PaO2 >
75, pH > 7.25
•General approaches
• SIMV Weaning
• Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV)
Weaning
• Spontaneous breathing trials
• Demonstrated to be superior
No weaning parameter completely accurate when used alone
Numerical
Parameters
Normal
Range
Weaning
Threshold
P/F > 400 > 200
Tidal volume 5 - 7 ml/kg 5 ml/kg
Respiratory rate 14 - 18 breaths/min < 40 breaths/min
Vital capacity 65 - 75 ml/kg 10 ml/kg
Minute volume 5 - 7 L/min < 10 L/min
Greater Predictive
Value
Normal
Range
Weaning
Threshold
NIF (Negative
Inspiratory Force)
> - 90 cm H2O > - 25 cm H2O
RSBI (Rapid
Shallow Breathing
Index) (RR/TV)
< 50 < 100
Marino P, The ICU Book (2/e). 1998.
37. WEANING FROM THE VENTILATOR
• Weaning strategy:
– no single proven approach
– ? easier from PSV (decrease 2–4 cm H2O q12h) or using
intermittent T-piece trials than from SIMV (decrease RR 2–4
breaths/min q12h + backup 5 cm H2O PSV)
• Method of weaning is not as relevant as knowing
appropriate time to wean.
– Identify patients who can breathe spontaneously
38. WEANING FROM THE VENTILATOR
• Consider these factors: WEANS NOW mnemonic
– Wakefulness or sedation reversed
– Electrolytes
– Acid–base status
– Neurologic state
– Secretions minimal, cough adequate
– Nutrition
– Oxygenation:
• PAO2 >60 on FiO2, 0.4;
• PaO2/FiO2 > 200,
• PEEP </= 5 cm H2O
– Work of breathing:
• volume support stable,
• VE < 12 L/min,
• vital capacity > 10 ml/kg
39. WEANING FROM THE VENTILATOR
• No weaning parameters are perfect.
– Rapid Shallow Breathing Index (RSBI)
– = (f/VT) = respiratory rate / tidal volume (in liters)
• If the RSBI is <105 after 1 hr of CPAP with PSV 5
& PEEP 5, patient is often weanable.
• If RSBI > 105 predicts failure
– Spontaneous breathing trial (e.g., CPAP × 1–2 hrs)
• Failure if: deteriorating ABGs, high RR, high or low
HR, high or low BP, diaphoresis, anxiety
• If none of these events occurs consider
extubation
40. Spontaneous Breathing Trials
•Settings
• PEEP = 5, PS = 0 – 5, FiO2 < 40%
• Breathe independently for 30 – 120
min
• ABG obtained at end of SBT
•Failed SBT Criteria
• RR > 35 for >5 min
• SaO2 <90% for >30 sec
• HR > 140, sustained 20% increase
• Systolic BP > 180 or < 90mm Hg
• Sustained increased work of breathing
• Cardiac dysrhythmia
• Anxiety, Diaphoresis
• pH < 7.32
SBTs do not guarantee that airway is stable or pt can self-clear secretions
Causes of Failed
SBTs
Treatments
Anxiety/Agitation Benzodiazepines or haldol
Infection Diagnosis and tx
Electrolyte abnormalities
(K+, PO4-)
Correction
Pulmonary edema, cardiac
ischemia
Diuretics and nitrates
Deconditioning,
malnutrition
Aggressive nutrition
Neuromuscular disease Bronchopulmonary hygiene,
early consideration of trach
Increased intra-abdominal
pressure
Semirecumbent positioning,
NGT
Hypothyroidism Thyroid replacement
Excessive auto-PEEP
(COPD, asthma)
Bronchodilator therapy
Sena et al, ACS Surgery: Principles and
Practice (2005).
41. Continued ventilation after successful SBT
•Commonly cited factors
• Altered mental status and inability to protect
airway
• Potentially difficult reintubation
• Unstable injury to cervical spine
• Likelihood of return trips to OR
• Need for frequent suctioning
Inherent risks of intubation balanced against continued need for intubation
42.
43. Need for tracheostomy
•Advantages
• Issue of airway stability can be
separated from issue of readiness for
extubation
• May quicken decision to extubate
• Decreased work of breathing
• Avoid continued vocal cord injury
• Improved bronchopulmonary hygiene
• Improved pt communication
•Disadvantages
• Long term risk of tracheal stenosis
• Procedure-related complication rate
(4% - 36%)
Prolonged intubation may injure airway and cause airway edema
1 - Vocal cords. 2 - Thyroid cartilage. 3 - Cricoid
cartilage. 4 - Tracheal cartilage. 5 - Balloon cuff.
44. References
• Mechanical Ventilation for Nursing by M Dearing and C
Shelley (ppt)
• Mechanical Ventilation Handout by DM Lieberman and
AS Ho (ppt)
• Mechanical Ventilation by Marc Charles Parent (ppt)
• Principles of Mechanical Ventilation RET 2284 by Stultz
(ppt)
• Sena, MJ et al. Mechanical Ventilation. ACS Surgery:
Principles and Practice 2005; pg. 1-16.
• Marino, PL. The ICU Book. 2nd edition. 1998.
• Byrd, RP. Mechanical ventilation. Emedicine, 6/6/06.