Excessive ventilation, when carried out inappropriately in terms of pressure and speed, can have harmful consequences on hemodynamics, i.e. blood circulation in the body.
When intrathoracic pressure is increased by excessive ventilation, venous return can be reduced. Venous return is the flow of blood back to the heart from the veins, and its decrease can lead to a reduction in the amount of blood pumped out of the heart with each cardiac contraction.
This reduction in venous return can in turn lead to a drop in blood pressure, which is the force exerted by blood on the blood vessel walls. A drop in blood pressure can adversely affect the perfusion of vital organs, which depend on an adequate blood supply to function properly.
Excessive ventilation can also reduce cardiac output, which is the amount of blood pumped by the heart per unit of time. Reduced cardiac output can compromise the heart's ability to supply sufficient oxygenated blood to the whole body, which can be life-threatening.
It is therefore crucial to avoid excessive pressure and speed of ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. An appropriate and well-controlled technique, in line with medical guidelines, is essential to avoid these adverse effects on hemodynamics and maximize the victim's chances of survival.
Excessive ventilation can have serious consequences on hemodynamics, by reducing venous return, blood pressure and cardiac output. Inappropriate ventilation can compromise blood circulation and endanger the victim's life. It is therefore essential to follow appropriate ventilation protocols during resuscitation maneuvers to minimize these undesirable effects.
Influence of breathing on hemodynamics
Changes in intrathoracic pressure caused by breathing have an impact on hemodynamics. This influence can often be observed during spontaneous breathing, where an increase in heart rate can be observed during inspiration and a decrease during expiration. The positive chest pressure generated during inspiration decreases venous return to the right heart, resulting in reflex bradycardia.
Effects of mechanical ventilation
Any positive pressure generated by mechanical ventilation can theoretically have a negative effect on hemodynamics, but these effects are most commonly seen with excessive pressure and speed of ventilation. Positive expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a mechanical ventilation parameter used to maintain positive pressure in the pulmonary alveoli after expiration.
Bottom line
It is important to note that excessive ventilations can have serious consequences for hemodynamics, so careful monitoring of ventilation parameters is crucial to avoid these negative effects. It is also important to maintain adequate positive expiratory pressure to avoid complications related to mechanical ventilation.