Long-Term Ventilator-Dependent Patients: Noninvasive Ventilation

Abstract

Long-term ventilator-dependent patients constitute a special subgroup of patients who need mechanical ventilators. Although the working principle of mechanical ventilators is the same, their use in patients has gained a wide variety. Long-term noninvasive mechanical ventilation should be organized by specialized clinics. All the modes mentioned above can be preferred in long-term mechanical ventilator use; during initial setup, the target tidal volume should be 6 mL per ideal body weight (IBW), and minute ventilation should be 0.1 L per IBW. We must also pay attention to whether we allow patients time for adequate expiration. We should allow longer expiration times, especially in the group with obstructive pulmonary disease. We should follow patients at 3–12 month intervals, considering their underlying diseases.