Ventilator Strategies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

The management of the ventilator in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has a dramatic effect on the overall outcome. The incidence of COPD is increasing as the US population grows older. The most effective means to deal with pulmonary complications is to avoid them, but both COPD and ARDS have evidence-based interventions that have been shown to improve outcomes. Pulmonary complications affect up to 40% of patients, and their occurrence is associated with an increased duration of hospital stay, and an increased mortality.