

6 Again, conceptually APRV principles of ventilation are used. The difference between P high and P low can be adjusted to deliver a V T of 6 to 8 ml/kg in accordance with ARDS Network protocol. 3 The difference between the two pressure levels determines the tidal volume (V T) delivered, where most of the ventilation and carbon dioxide removal occurs during the release from P high to P low ( Figure 1). The lower level of pressure (P low) is set to minimize alveolar derecruitment during a brief expiratory (release) phase. The higher level of pressure (P high) is set to support alveolar recruitment and oxygenation.
Barotrauma skills manual#
There are limited studies on bilevel, and the consensus among practitioners regarding initial settings is limited and primarily provided in the operator’s manual for mechanical ventilators that have bilevel or an equivalent mode.īilevel uses two set levels of pressure, usually referred to as positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), that are set by the respiratory therapist (RT).

5 APRV is a lung-protective strategy that helps to meet the goals of ARDS management and to diffuse pneumonia and atelectasis by maximizing alveolar recruitment while limiting the transalveolar pressure gradient and barotrauma. 7 When inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) is used, bilevel conceptually applies airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) principles. 2, 4īilevel is a mechanical ventilation lung-protective strategy used to meet the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) management goals by maximizing alveolar recruitment, patient comfort, and patient-ventilator synchrony, while minimizing the risk of barotrauma and the need for heavy sedation.

Setting options, terminology, and abbreviations may be brand specific based on the mechanical ventilator specifications. undefined#ref2">2 Bilevel is designed for invasive mechanical ventilation. OVERVIEWīilevel is a pressure-controlled, time-triggered, time-cycled mode of ventilation that allows unrestricted, spontaneous breathing with or without pressure support (PS) throughout the entire ventilatory cycle. Neuromuscular blockade should not be used with bilevel ventilation that requires spontaneous breathing to meet the patient’s ventilatory needs.īilevel ventilation is not recommended in patients who require deep or heavy sedation or have obstructive lung conditions that require longer expiratory time. Mechanical Ventilation: Bilevel Ventilation (Respiratory Therapy) ALERT
