Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
barotrauma
Lung injury caused by excessive pressure during mechanical ventilation.
Full Definition
Barotrauma refers to physical damage to lung tissue resulting from excessive positive pressure during mechanical ventilation. This iatrogenic injury can manifest as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, or subcutaneous emphysema. Respiratory therapists play a crucial role in preventing barotrauma by monitoring peak inspiratory pressures, adjusting ventilator settings appropriately, and using lung-protective ventilation strategies.
In Context
- "The development of a pneumothorax suggested possible barotrauma from high ventilator pressures." — Incident report
- "Lung-protective ventilation protocols help minimize the risk of barotrauma in ARDS patients." — Clinical practice guideline
Also known as
pressure-induced lung injury
Don't confuse with
volutrauma
biotrauma