A glossary of commonly used mechanical ventilation terms

Treatment of patients with acute respiratory failure calls for maintaining adequate lung volume for oxygen exchange while avoiding alveolar distending pressures that could damage the lungs. In deciding on appropriate ventilatory support, physicians face a puzzling array of terms little known outside the specialty of pulmonology. To help, The Journal of Respiratory Diseases has invited two specialists in pulmonary and critical care medicine to present a glossary of the terms you are most likely to encounter.