What is pressure support ventilation (PSV) designed to provide for patients?

Pressure support ventilation (PSV) is designed to assist patients by providing a set level of pressure support for each spontaneous breath. This mode of ventilation is particularly beneficial for patients who are capable of initiating their breaths but may require some assistance to overcome the work of breathing.

In PSV, when the patient takes a breath, the ventilator delivers a preset amount of pressure during inhalation. This pressure augments the tidal volume the patient is able to achieve, allowing for improved ventilation without imposing a fixed tidal volume or rate. This means that each spontaneous breath received by the patient gets additional support, allowing for more comfortable and efficient breathing.

The focus on spontaneous breaths distinguishes PSV from modes that provide a fixed tidal volume or impose continuous positive airway pressure. In contrast to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), which maintains a constant pressure throughout the entire breathing cycle without initiating breaths, PSV adapts to the patient's needs by responding to their own breathing efforts. This provides a more personalized approach to ventilation, which is particularly useful for patients who are beginning to wean off mechanical support.