++
Content Update: Target light sedation after intubation December 2020
After successful intubation, target light sedation, not deep sedation. Use analgesia-first pain control followed by sedating agents to achieve light sedation. See detailed discussion in the section ‘Analgesia and Sedation in Mechanically Ventilated Patients’
+++
MANAGING VENTILATOR SETTINGS
++
The primary function of mechanical ventilation is to provide respiratory support while treating the underlying process that caused respiratory failure. Safe oxygenation and ventilation can be accomplished in either a volume- or pressure-targeted mode. The chosen mode is often based on provider preference and experience. Patient outcomes are unlikely to be changed by the mode of ventilation.1,2
++
In a volume-targeted mode (e.g., volume control; Figure 29B-1), the ventilator provides an inspiratory flow over time to target a set volume. To avoid ventilator-induced injury, multiple trials have shown that limiting the tidal volume improves patient outcomes compared to using the larger volumes more common in the past (often ≥10 mL/kg to start).3–6 One approach is to start volume-targeted ventilation at 6 mL/kg ideal body weight for patients with or at risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome and 6 to 8 mL/kg ideal body weight for other patients. The definition of acute respiratory distress syndrome is provided in Table 29B-1. Those at risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome have pneumonia, sepsis, trauma, pancreatitis, or any shock state.7 To choose ventilation settings, calculate ideal body weight using the patient’s height, an important caveat in obese patients in whom harm is risked if tidal volumes choice is based on actual body weight.
++++