Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

A ventilator is a medical machine that assists or replaces a patient's breathing when they cannot breathe adequately on their own. It works by delivering oxygen directly to the lungs and can also help remove carbon dioxide.12

There are two main types:
* Noninvasive ventilation: Uses masks (like CPAP or BiPAP) for patients with mild to moderate breathing difficulties, often used at home.2
* Invasive ventilation: Involves a tube inserted into the trachea (windpipe) through the mouth, nose, or a surgical opening. This is typically used in intensive care units and requires constant monitoring.12

While ventilators can be life-saving, they carry risks such as infections (like pneumonia), lung damage, and muscle atrophy from prolonged use.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.