The Institute - September 2020 - TI9

THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW

The University of Glasgow's GlasVent interim ventilator supplies air to a mannequin.

during the course of a disease. When
patients begin breathing more independently on their own, the ventilator's parameters must be adjusted so
the machine doesn't continue to push
air into the lungs at the same rate.
For those re asons, operating
mechanical ventilators can be complex for anyone with a nonclinical
background. Clearly, there is need
for trained professionals. Some training for operating an EV is needed too,
even if it is used only to provide basic
control over the pressure and volume
of air in the lungs.
Typically, putting a patient on a
mechanical ventilator requires the

insertion of a laryngeal mask, an endotracheal tube, or a tracheostomy. Such
forms of invasive ventilation require a
patient to be sedated-which can lead
to complications such as blood clotting
and the need for dialysis.
Ventilation also can be accomplished noninvasively, using an airtight face mask, but that carries other
risks such as blowing air into the stomach, poor airflow, and the possibility that fluid or solid particles might
end up in the windpipe or lungs. For
these reasons, noninvasive ventilation
is not recommended with mechanical ventilators other than for shortterm assistance in the form of mild

positive end-expiratory pressure in a
conscious patient. It might be more
suitable for EVs because they are
meant to complement mechanical
ventilators for a short period.
The same risks apply in the case of
EVs, but they are intended mainly to
provide noninvasive ventilation and
are to be used for a short period-up
to 100 hours. EVs can buy COVID-19
patients with breathing issues some
time. Often their immune system successfully fights the virus.
BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES

Using an Ambu bag as the backbone of a
DIY EV has several merits. Such manual

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The Institute - September 2020

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