Vent
Formal Definition
Mechanical ventilator: a device that delivers positive-pressure breaths to a patient through an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy, providing respiratory support when a patient cannot breathe adequately on their own.
How It's Used on the Ward
"On the vent" or "vented" — any patient receiving mechanical ventilation in the ICU.
Example
""ARDS patient: on the vent for day 4. Lung-protective ventilation: tidal volume 6 mL/kg IBW, PEEP 12, FiO2 0.6, plateau pressure 28. P/F ratio trending up — 110 yesterday, 145 this morning. Cautiously optimistic about weaning this week.""
Clinical Context
Mechanical ventilation modes: assist control (AC/VC — delivers a set volume with every breath), pressure support (PS — spontaneous breaths, vent boosts the effort), SIMV (hybrid). Lung-protective ventilation in ARDS: low tidal volumes (6 mL/kg ideal body weight), permissive hypercapnia, PEEP to maintain recruitment. Complications of mechanical ventilation: ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), barotrauma, diaphragm weakness (vent-induced), oxygen toxicity. Every vented patient needs a daily sedation assessment and weaning readiness check.
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