Airway pressure release ventilation

Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is a new mode of mechanical ventilation that allows unrestricted spontaneous ventilation during continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) administration. APRV augments alveolar ventilation by briefly interrupting CPAP, thus allowing airway pressure and lung volume to fall - and then to rise when CPAP returns. This review describes animal and human investigation that demonstrates APRV's efficacy, some physiologic implications, and potential use for patients with acute lung injury - the population for whom it was designed.