Physiology of mechanical ventilation.

Mechanical ventilation, although essential in taking care of acute lung injury and widely used during surgical procedures worldwide, remains a highly debated field. Clinical trials in the last decade have shown convincingly that mechanical ventilation can result in additional mortality in patients with acute lung injury. This understanding has resulted in a resurged interest in mechanical ventilation, and especially in techniques and strategies to further improve mechanical ventilation. This article discusses physiological principles to improve the understanding of mechanical ventilation.