Episode 23: Basic Ventilator Review with Dr. Scott Stephens

In this episode of ACCRAC, Jed Wolpaw interviews Dr. Scott Stephens, a pulmonary critical care trained intensivist, about the basics of mechanical ventilation. They discuss the historical development of mechanical ventilation, modern modes including mandatory and spontaneous modes, initial ventilator settings for newly intubated patients, and adjustments based on whether the respiratory failure is hypoxemic or hypercarbic. They also cover postoperative weaning strategies, including transitioning to spontaneous modes and assessing patient readiness for extubation, and touch on the utility of T-piece trials.