What is ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI)?

Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) refers specifically to lung damage that results from mechanical ventilation, particularly when the ventilatory settings are not optimally managed. This can occur due to several factors, including inappropriate tidal volumes, high airway pressures, or the use of unnecessary positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) that can lead to overdistension of alveoli, inflammation, and subsequent lung injury.

When mechanical ventilation is employed, the method can inadvertently contribute to the very lung injury that it aims to prevent or treat. For instance, settings that subject the lungs to cyclic opening and closing can exacerbate barotrauma or volutrauma. Consequently, understanding VILI is crucial for clinicians in choosing appropriate ventilation strategies that minimize the risk of damage while still providing adequate respiratory support.

Options that focus on excessive oxygen levels, safety protocols during surgery, or conditions unrelated to mechanical ventilation do not capture the essence of what VILI entails. VILI is inherently tied to the artificial intrathoracic conditions created by mechanical ventilation itself. The critical nature of properly managing ventilation settings underscores the significance of understanding VILI as it influences patient outcomes in mechanical ventilation scenarios.