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Related Concept Videos

Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation01:23

Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation

Ventilators are essential medical equipment used to aid patients with respiratory difficulties. Their primary function is to assist or replace spontaneous breathing by providing mechanical ventilation. There are two general classes of mechanical ventilators: negative-pressure and positive-pressure ventilators.
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
Mechanical Ventilation I: Indication and Settings01:29

Mechanical Ventilation I: Indication and Settings

Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving technique for managing acute respiratory failure and other respiratory complications. The process involves using a machine known as a ventilator to supply oxygen to the lungs and assist in removing carbon dioxide. It serves as a bridge to long-term mechanical ventilation or a temporary measure until ventilatory support is discontinued. The ventilator can maintain this function for a prolonged period, providing critical support for patients until they can...
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation01:23

Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation

Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) are essential methods in respiratory care. These ventilation techniques offer unique benefits for patients with various respiratory conditions, providing adequate support without requiring intubation. Let's explore how each method is crucial in improving patient outcomes and enhancing respiratory therapy.
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV)
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation01:19

Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation

Besides the pressure difference between the external environment and the lungs, the airflow rate and ease of pulmonary ventilation are also influenced by three other factors: surface tension of the fluid in the alveoli, compliance of the lungs, and airway resistance.
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
Physiological Control of Respiration01:23

Physiological Control of Respiration

Introduction
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology01:08

Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology

Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...

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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

3D Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Respiratory Motion in Mechanically Ventilated Mice and Rats
08:22

3D Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Respiratory Motion in Mechanically Ventilated Mice and Rats

Published on: September 19, 2025

Obesity: biomechanical implications for mechanical ventilation.

Alice Nova1,2, Emanuele Rezoagli3,4, Cristina Mietto5,6

  • 1School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.

Critical Care (London, England)
|July 7, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Obesity significantly impacts respiratory mechanics, affecting lung volumes and chest wall function. Optimizing mechanical ventilation in obese patients requires tailored strategies, including PEEP titration and advanced monitoring, to manage acute lung injury.

Keywords:
AHRFARDSAirway closureElectrical impedance tomographyEsophageal pressureMechanical ventilationObesity

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Measuring Diaphragm Thickness and Function Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound
05:51

Measuring Diaphragm Thickness and Function Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Published on: November 3, 2023

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Last Updated: Jul 9, 2026

3D Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Respiratory Motion in Mechanically Ventilated Mice and Rats
08:22

3D Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Respiratory Motion in Mechanically Ventilated Mice and Rats

Published on: September 19, 2025

Measuring Diaphragm Thickness and Function Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound
05:51

Measuring Diaphragm Thickness and Function Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Published on: November 3, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Anesthesiology

Background:

  • Obesity is a prevalent chronic disease with significant effects on respiratory physiology.
  • Excess adipose tissue alters lung volumes, chest wall mechanics, and pleural pressures, leading to complications like airway closure and atelectasis.
  • These physiological changes are critical in perioperative and intensive care settings, particularly during mechanical ventilation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of obesity on respiratory physiology during mechanical ventilation.
  • To discuss strategies for optimizing mechanical ventilation in obese patients with acute lung injury.
  • To highlight the role of advanced monitoring and specific interventions in managing respiratory mechanics in obesity.

Main Methods:

  • Narrative review of existing literature.
  • Examination of physiological changes associated with obesity affecting respiration.
  • Discussion of current and advanced mechanical ventilation strategies.

Main Results:

  • Obesity reduces functional residual capacity and expiratory reserve volume, increasing airway collapse risk.
  • General anesthesia exacerbates lung volume reduction and pleural pressure increases in obese patients.
  • Optimized ventilation involves preoxygenation, recruitment maneuvers, and individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).

Conclusions:

  • Obesity complicates respiratory mechanics and mechanical ventilation management, especially in acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.
  • Advanced monitoring (esophageal pressure manometry, electrical impedance tomography) aids in optimizing ventilation.
  • Prone positioning, individualized weaning, and early noninvasive ventilation improve outcomes in obese patients with respiratory distress.