Following the establishment of an advanced airway, ventilation strategies are modified. Rather than adhering to cycles synchronized with compressions, breaths are typically delivered at a slower rate, independent of chest compression timing. This altered approach acknowledges the optimized oxygen delivery pathway the advanced airway provides.
This adaptation offers several advantages. It minimizes the risk of gastric inflation, a potential complication that can hinder effective ventilation and increase the likelihood of aspiration. The reduced breath rate also allows for more complete exhalation, preventing air trapping and maintaining optimal lung compliance, which can improve overall gas exchange and patient outcomes.
