Pressure Modes of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation

Pressure modes of invasive mechanical ventilation generate a tidal breath by delivering pressure over time. Pressure control ventilation (PC) is the prototypical pressure mode and is patient- or time-triggered, pressure-limited, and time-cycled. Other pressure modes include pressure support ventilation (PSV), pressure-regulated volume control (PRVC, also known as volume control plus [VC+]), airway pressure release ventilation (APRV), and biphasic ventilation (also known as BiLevel). Despite their complexity, modern ventilators respond to patient effort and respiratory system mechanics in a fairly predictable fashion. No single mode has consistently demonstrated superiority in clinical trials; however, empiric management with a pressure mode may achieve the goals of patient-ventilator synchrony, effective respiratory system support, adequate gas exchange, and limited ventilator-induced lung injury.