VILI (Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury)

Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury (VILI) occurs when mechanical ventilators used to help patients breathe cause damage to the lung tissues. This can happen if the lungs are over-inflated (barotrauma), stretched excessively (volutrauma), or repeatedly collapsed and reopened (atelectrauma). VILI increases inflammation and can worsen lung function, making recovery more difficult. To minimize this risk, healthcare providers carefully adjust ventilation settings, use the lowest effective pressures, and employ lung-protective strategies to ensure the lungs are maintained safely during treatment.