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# Operating Modes of Mechanical Ventilation A ventilator mode defines a set of operating characteristics that control how the ventilator functions. It describes how the ventilator is triggered into inspiration and cycled into exhalation, what variables are limited during inspiration, and whether it...

# Operating Modes of Mechanical Ventilation A ventilator mode defines a set of operating characteristics that control how the ventilator functions. It describes how the ventilator is triggered into inspiration and cycled into exhalation, what variables are limited during inspiration, and whether it allows mandatory, intermittent, or spontaneous breaths. Many other operating functions are available on modern ventilators, such as controlling FiO2, inspiratory flow rate, and various alarms. Regardless of the operating mode, the four main goals should be: * Adequate ventilation and oxygenation * Avoid ventilator-induced lung injury * Patient-ventilator synchrony * Successful weaning from mechanical ventilation. Table 4-1 (not included here) provides an overview of mechanical breath terminology. There are at least 23 different ventilation modes available on various ventilators, and two or more modes are often combined to achieve specific effects. Some examples of operating modes are: 1. **Spontaneous**: Patient breathes independently 2. **Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)**: Positive pressure maintained at the end of expiration 3. **Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)**: Positive pressure maintained continuously throughout respiration 4. **Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)**: Two different pressures are applied for inhalation and exhalation 5. **Controlled mandatory ventilation (CMV)**: The ventilator delivers a preset tidal volume and frequency 6. **Assist/control (AC)**: The ventilator supports the patient's breathing, delivering breaths based on preset parameters and assisting when patient breaths are insufficient