What is the primary purpose of Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV)?

The primary purpose of Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV) is to lower the work of spontaneous breathing and augment tidal volume. PSV is a mode of mechanical ventilation that assists patients who are able to initiate their own breaths but require support in terms of tidal volume and respiratory effort. It ensures that each spontaneous breath taken by the patient is aided by a pre-set level of pressure, making it easier for them to breathe while allowing them to control their own respiratory rate and pattern.

This mode is particularly beneficial for patients who are recovering from respiratory failure or those who are in a weaning process from mechanical ventilation. The supportive pressure helps increase the tidal volume with each breath, which is crucial for maintaining adequate ventilation and gas exchange, especially when the patient may not be able to achieve the necessary volume on their own due to fatigue or weakness.

By contrast, fully controlling the patient's ventilation would not align with the goals of PSV, as that would imply the ventilator is taking over all aspects of breathing, which is not the focus of this mode. Eliminating the need for patient-initiated breaths undermines the fundamental principle of assisted ventilation in PSV, where the patient retains the ability to initiate breaths. Similarly, ensuring set tidal volumes with every breath represents a more