Control mode ventilation and mandatory minute ventilation

A short review is given of the current methods of mechanical ventilatory support. New technology makes it possible to combine mandatory ventilation with spontaneous respiration in order to improve circulation and also to minimize the patient's dependance on a ventilator. One new modality, extended mandatory minute ventilation (EMMV) combines the advantages of mandatory ventilation with full utilization of any spontaneous respiration and is believed to have certain advantages over intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV). The EMMV is explained and certain characteristics are emphasized.