In which scenario is Pressure support ventilation (PSV) commonly used?

Pressure support ventilation (PSV) is commonly utilized during the weaning process from mechanical ventilation. This mode of support assists patients in taking spontaneous breaths by providing a preset amount of pressure during inhalation. This helps decrease the work of breathing and allows patients to gradually regain their ability to breathe independently without the full support of a ventilator.

During weaning, the goal is to transition the patient from total reliance on mechanical ventilation to spontaneous breathing. PSV can be adjusted to gradually reduce the pressure support as the patient becomes stronger and more capable of breathing on their own. This approach not only supports respiratory effort but also helps assess a patient's readiness to be fully extubated.

In scenarios where a patient is completely apneic, alternative modes of ventilation that provide full support would be more appropriate. Similarly, for those requiring fixed minute volumes or those on complete mechanical ventilation, other ventilation strategies would be employed rather than PSV, which is specifically designed to facilitate spontaneous breathing efforts.