Ventilation

The use of a machine called a ventilator to take over or assist breathing. Arrested or severely impaired breathing may be due to head injury, brain disease, an overdose of opioid drugs, chest injury, respiratory disease, a nerve or muscle disorder, or major chest or abdominal surgery. Ventilation may be needed if a muscle relaxant has been given during an operation as part of general anaesthesia. Premature babies with respiratory distress syndrome may also need ventilation for a period until their lungs develop sufficiently. Positive pressure ventilation (continuous pumping of air under high pressure) may be used in the home in the treatment of sleep apnoea.