What does the Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) mode provide to patients?

Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) is a mode of mechanical ventilation that enables spontaneous breathing while maintaining a baseline level of positive pressure. This facilitates the patient’s ability to take spontaneous breaths at this elevated pressure, which not only aids in ventilation but also can help improve oxygenation and reduce the work of breathing.

In this mode, the patient is allowed to breathe spontaneously during the "release" phase, where the airway pressure drops, facilitating exhalation and allowing the patient to initiate breaths freely. This is particularly beneficial for patients with conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), as it promotes better gas exchange and reduces sedative requirements.

By allowing spontaneous breaths at a set positive pressure level, APRV provides the dual benefit of maintaining lung inflation while giving the patient the opportunity to actively participate in their own ventilation. This contrasts with other modes that may either not allow spontaneous breathing or solely focus on mandatory breaths, which do not provide the same level of support or flexibility.