volume control ventilation Page 8

Volume control ventilation is the mode where you set the tidal volume and flow, and the ventilator hits that target come hell, high airway pressures or mediocre lungs.

Pressure will float up and down depending on compliance and resistance, so you get reliable minute ventilation but a higher barotrauma risk if things stiffen up.

It’s handy for operating theatres and ICU when you want predictable tidal volume and minute ventilation, especially with paralysed or deeply sedated patients.

Watch the peak and plateau pressures, keep an eye on ETCO₂, and set sensible PEEP—the alarms aren’t just there to sing you the song of their people.

Pros: easy CO₂ control and straightforward weaning metrics; cons: patient-ventilator dyssynchrony and pressure spikes if compliance tanks.

Use with clinical judgement and local protocols; machines are clever, but not clairvoyant.