Open AccessRespiratory mechanics in brain injury: A review
Author(s) -
Antonia Koutsoukou,
Maria Katsiari,
Stylianos E. Orfanos,
Αναστασία Κοτανίδου,
Maria Daganou,
Magdalini Kyriakopoulou,
Νikolaos Koulouris,
Νikoletta Ρovina
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
world journal of critical care medicine
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2220-3141
DOI - 10.5492/wjccm.v5.i1.65
Subject(s) - medicine , mechanical ventilation , traumatic brain injury , respiratory physiology , intensive care medicine , lung , ventilation (architecture) , respiratory system , anesthesia , psychiatry , engineering , mechanical engineering
Several clinical and experimental studies have shown that lung injury occurs shortly after brain damage. The responsible mechanisms involve neurogenic pulmonary edema, inflammation, the harmful action of neurotransmitters, or autonomic system dysfunction. Mechanical ventilation, an essential component of life support in brain-damaged patients (BD), may be an additional traumatic factor to the already injured or susceptible to injury lungs of these patients thus worsening lung injury, in case that non lung protective ventilator settings are applied. Measurement of respiratory mechanics in BD patients, as well as assessment of their evolution during mechanical ventilation, may lead to preclinical lung injury detection early enough, allowing thus the selection of the appropriate ventilator settings to avoid ventilator-induced lung injury. The aim of this review is to explore the mechanical properties of the respiratory system in BD patients along with the underlying mechanisms, and to translate the evidence of animal and clinical studies into therapeutic implications regarding the mechanical ventilation of these critically ill patients.