Use of PEEP in Ventilation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Use of PEEP in Ventilation - Essay Example A ventilator is a mechanism that provides sufficient oxygen to a patient from externally. Normally, during passive exhalation, the alveolar pressure is the same as the atmospheric pressure at the end of exhalation. Positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) is used mainly to recruit or stabilize lung units and improve oxygenation in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure thereby the pressure of the alveoli at the end of exhalation is maintained at appropriate level. Measurement of respiratory system mechanics in patients who are subjected to external mechanical ventilation suffering from low tidal volumes is important to assess the status of the ailment and to choose appropriate ventilator settings. (Pilar Saura & Lluis Blanch, 2002). Researches so far carried out have thrown light on the descriptive side of application of PEEP. However no controlled studies have been done to demonstrate the best method of choosing the level of PEEP. In fact most physicians hesitate to use PEEP lev el more than 10cm H2O.(Jesus Villar, 2003,) The primary function of the lungs involves the transfer of oxygen from the inhaled air into the blood and the transfer of carbon dioxide from the blood into the exhaled air. Whenever a patient suffers from the malfunctioning of lungs due to improper gas exchange he is supposed to be within the enclave of respiratory failure. ARDS, the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is often the fertile soil for respiratory failure to get nurtured. In ARDS there is sudden respiratory failure due to the rapid accumulation of fluid in the lungs following an abrupt increase in the permeability of the normal barrier between the capillaries and the alveoli air sacs in the lungs. This damages the capillaries and alveoli air sacs. Leakage of fluid from the damaged capillaries to air sacs causing some sacs to collapse and some sacs filled with the fluid. This makes the lung stiff. Gas exchange is