[Dyspnoea in invasively ventilated patients: an overview]

Dyspnoea is a highly relevant phenomenon in patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation, yet it is often underestimated in clinical practice. Against this background, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) have published a comprehensive statement on the various aspects of dyspnoea during mechanical ventilation. This article is based on this consensus document and highlights the various dimensions of dyspnoea, from its prevalence and clinical relevance to the individual experiences of patients and its physiological and psychological consequences. It provides a detailed presentation of diagnostic procedures and targeted therapeutic intervention options. Particular emphasis is placed on systematic assessment tools offering valid evaluation approaches for both communicative and non-communicative patients. Additionally, the importance of dyspnoea in relation to lung- and diaphragm-protective ventilation and weaning from mechanical ventilation is discussed.