In this episode, we break down ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) and how mechanical ventilation can contribute to lung damage in critically ill patients. We walk through the core mechanisms of VILI—including volutrauma, barotrauma, atelectrauma, and biotrauma—and then build a deeper understanding using the concepts of driving pressure and mechanical power. These frameworks help connect individual ventilator settings to the total energy delivered to the lungs and the risk of injury. This episode focuses on a key shift in thinking: moving beyond isolated ventilator parameters toward a more integrated, physiology-based approach to lung-protective ventilation at the bedside. If you manage ventilated patients in the ICU or emergency department, this will help you better understand why lung injury occurs—and how to minimize it. 🎥 Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fUSRomVjUw 🚀 Support WhiteBoard Medicine + Get Full Access Get the full study guide for this episode + complete emergency critical care curriculum: https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine Our Patreon includes: • 📄 Study guides for every episode • 🎓 Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more) • ❓ Practice questions • 🚫 Ad-free content • 🧠 A structured ICU curriculum ⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. Clinical decisions should be made based on individual patient circumstances, institutional protocols, and clinician judgment. This content does not represent the views of any affiliated institutions.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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