If a patient experiences increased resistance during ventilation, what can happen with AC mode?

When a patient experiences increased resistance during ventilation in assist-control (AC) mode, the ventilator may still attempt to deliver breaths despite the resistance. This situation can lead to excessive tidal volumes because the ventilator is set to deliver a predetermined volume for each breath. If the resistance increases, the ventilator could still push the same volume of air into the lungs or even more, depending on the set pressure limits of the machine.

This excessive tidal volume can result in overdistension of the lungs, and in turn, may contribute to barotrauma or volutrauma. This pattern of breathing can cause significant discomfort for the patient and may lead to further complications, such as impaired gas exchange and injury to the lung tissue. It's essential for clinicians to monitor ventilatory patterns closely and adjust settings based on patient needs and lung mechanics to ensure safe and effective ventilation.