Biotrauma: a pathophysiologic approach

Abstract

Mechanical ventilation is an important life support tool in the intensive care units; however, it can cause different types of lung injury as barotrauma, volutrauma atelectrauma and biotrauma. Biotrauma no protective ventilator strategies could induce a hyper activation of the immune system and release of inflammatory mediators leading to local and systemic lesions, causing multiple organ dysfunction. The way it happens is still unknown, but four mechanisms are being related: a) Disruption of the plasma membrane; b) Disruption in the connection of lung endothelial and epithelial cells; c) Mechanotransduction; d) Effect on pulmonary vasculature.