Figure.

Local and systemic effects of mechanical ventilation – The use of high tidal volumes (volutrauma) and high airway pressures (barotrauma) and the cyclical collapse and reopening of alveolar territories (atelectrauma) can lead to the development of ventilation-induced lung damage. The pulmonary parenchyma sustains structural injury, and pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators may be released and/or activated. This pulmonary inflammatory reaction is called biotrauma. Impaired alveolocapillary integrity can also result in a systemic inflammatory reaction, leading to multiple organ system failure. The physiological effects of ventilation-induced lung damage include an increase of the physiological dead space, reduced pulmonary compliance, and impaired pulmonary gas exchange.