Advancements in Mechanical Ventilation: Understanding Physiology to Mitigate Complications

Minimizing the risk of Ventilation-Induced Lung Injury (VILI) necessitates a profound understanding of the physiology of mechanical ventilation. However, this critical aspect has not been extensively addressed. Similarly, there is a limited number of experiments geared towards understanding the mechanism of lung-diaphragm interaction and its association with Ventilation-Induced Diaphragm Dysfunction (VIDD).

The aim of this Research Topic is to gather comprehensive insights into the understanding of the physiology of mechanical ventilation. We aim to explore potential strategies aimed at enhancing gas exchange and preventing complications, such as barotrauma (pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema). We also consider it critical to delve into the respiratory physiology and gas exchange within the context of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), another significant research area worthy of further investigation.

Thus, it is paramount to clarify the physiology of mechanical ventilation. In this Research Topic we welcome all the techniques available to clinicians to improve the patient gas exchange of the respiratory system with non-invasive and invasive respiratory support (NRS) or replacing mechanical ventilation with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Setting the mechanical ventilation, minimizing the risks of ventilation lung injury (VILI) can help to improve the outcome of the patients in intensive care unit (ICU), and particular emphasis will be placed on the articles focusing on the lung-diaphragm interaction, identifying strategies that can mitigate the effects in terms of ventilation induce diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD) and sepsis induce diaphragm dysfunction (SIDD).

We welcome submissions of original research articles, reviews, case series, and case reports that explore optimal respiratory strategies to mitigate VILI and VIDD. We are particularly interested in understanding how and when these strategies could be implemented to reduce barotrauma. Furthermore, we also encourage submissions of studies that attempt to elucidate the mechanisms of lung physiology during ECMO treatment.

Keywords: Mechanical Ventilation, Ventilation-Induced Lung Injury (VILI), Ventilation-Induced Diaphragm Dysfunction (VIDD), Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), Respiratory Physiology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.