[Pathophysiology of cardiovascular disorders in artificial ventilation]

Increase in intrapulmonary and intrathoracic pressures caused by mechanical ventilation decreases cardiac output and redistributes perfusion mainly to lower regions of the lung. The amount of the disturbances depends on the mean ventilatory pressure. If disturbed lung mechanics require the application of high ventilatory pressures an individual ventilation method with optimal matching between ventilation and perfusion must be created.