Ventilation provides cardiovascular support.
Up to 40% of CO may be required to support the work of breathing. This can be reduced
by mechanical assistance allowing blood flow to be diverted to other vital organs.
Increased intra thoracic pressure reduces Left ventricular afterload which is particularly
helpful in patients with Low CI & high SVR.
Mechanical support also aids patients with increased pulmonary vascular resistance (if
ventilated at or around the functional residual capacity (FRC).