positive pressure ventilator

A positive pressure ventilator is a machine that assists or replaces a patient's breathing by pushing air into the lungs. This process is crucial for individuals who cannot breathe on their own or have sporadic breathing patterns, ensuring the continuous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.12

There are two main types of mechanical ventilation:
* Noninvasive ventilation: Uses masks (like CPAP or BiPAP) for conscious patients with mild to moderate breathing difficulties, often for home use with chronic conditions.1
* Invasive ventilation: Requires a tube inserted into the trachea, typically administered by medical specialists and requiring constant monitoring in intensive care units.12

Modern ventilators primarily use positive pressure, a shift from earlier negative pressure machines like the iron lung. While life-saving, mechanical ventilation carries risks such as pneumonia, lung injury, and muscle atrophy.132