Rapid Interpretation of Ventilator Waveforms (2 Rev ed)

Designed for courses in Mechanical Ventilation and/or Ventilation Graphics, this text introduces ventilator waveforms.

It is intended to serve as a complement to a mechanical ventilation textbook and as a reference convenient to carry in the clinical environment.

The first chapter provides clean, easy-to-read conceptual illustrations to aid in comprehension.

Examples of real waveforms are provided next to the conceptual renderings to allow the learner to become comfortable with viewing waveforms with normal artifact present.

The following chapters utilize mostly real recordings of ventilator waveforms.

The rationale behind the format of this text is to provide a simple, portable reference and workbook that can be used at the bedside as well as the classroom.

Descriptions and commentary are kept to a minimum to enhance clarity and readability.

Ventilator waveform topics that are experimental, in limited use, or not considered mainstream are not included in keeping with this book's introductory theme.

It would be impractical and ponderous to attempt to include all possible examples of ventilator waveforms that can be seen in the clinical setting. The goal of this book is to impart an understanding of how waveforms are generated, which will allow the practitioner to deduce the cause and implications of previously unseen as well as familiar waveforms.

Understanding waveforms, instead of memorizing many patterns, aids in problem solving and correction of abnormal conditions and prepares clinicians to adapt to future yet unknown modes of ventilation.