What are the causes of hypoxia in mechanically ventilated patients?
Mechanical ventilation in the term used for assisted ventilation where oxygen is supplied to the lungs by means of artificial ways. It is done in cases when the person is unable to breath on his own. The main aim of mechanical ventilation is to provide the patient with adequate oxygen. For this reason the FIO2 is initially set at 100% and then titrated down. In some cases, despite providing adequate oxygen, the patient can develop hypoxia (condition characterized by lack of oxygen or lower than the required amount of oxygen in the arterial blood). The causes of hypoxia in mechanical ventilation are: 1. Hypoventilation 2. Exacerbating cardiac shunting 3. Insufficient FIO2 4. Aspiration of blood, stomach contents or secretions 5. Dislodged tube 6. Pulmonary edema 7. Lung collapse 8. Acute respiratory distress syndrome 9. Hemorrhage 10. Congestive heart failure 11. Pneumothorax 12. Pneumonia