intermittent positive pressure ventilation
Last reviewed 08/2021
With intermittent positive pressure ventilation, the lungs are expanded by actively blowing air into them.
The positive pressure may be controlled by:
- stimulation by the patient - when the patient inhales, or
- if the patient requires greater support, by complete machine regulation
If the patient's breathing is completely taken over by the machine, sedation is required.
Access to the patient's lungs is either by an endotracheal tube or a tracheostomy. The latter is necessary if long term IPPV is required in order to prevent the development of tracheal stenosis.