Lélegeztet

Lélegeztet is a Hungarian medical term for the act of providing ventilation to a patient. It encompasses both the support of spontaneous breathing and the replacement of breathing when necessary. In practice, lélegeztet can be non-invasively performed with interfaces such as masks or nasal pillows delivering air-oxygen mixtures under CPAP or BiPAP modes, or invasively through an artificial airway (endotracheal tube or tracheostomy) connected to a mechanical ventilator.

If the patient’s own breathing is inadequate, the ventilator can deliver controlled breaths or assist spontaneous efforts, using modes such as volume-controlled or pressure-controlled ventilation. Key ventilator settings include tidal volume, respiratory rate, FiO2, and PEEP. The goal is adequate gas exchange: oxygenation and ventilation, monitored by pulse oximetry and arterial blood gases.

Indications include acute or impending respiratory failure, post-operative support, anesthesia, coma or severe neurologic impairment, and neuromuscular weakness. Equipment involved includes ventilators, humidification systems, monitoring equipment, and airway interfaces (masks, endotracheal tubes, tracheostomies). Complications can include ventilator-associated pneumonia, barotrauma, volutrauma, oxygen toxicity, hypotension, and airway injury.

Weaning and extubation are planned when the patient can maintain breathing without full ventilatory support. The procedure requires trained healthcare professionals, typically in intensive care units, operating rooms, or dedicated respiratory care settings.