RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Should Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation Be Abolished? JF Respiratory Care FD American Association for Respiratory Care SP 854 OP 866 DO 10.4187/respcare.04887 VO 61 IS 6 A1 Robert M Kacmarek A1 Richard D Branson YR 2016 UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/61/6/854.abstract AB Intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) was introduced nearly 50 years ago. Despite the initial fanfare and early adoption by many, the role of IMV continues to be questioned. The use of small tidal volumes complicates the application of IMV, and issues with work of breathing, weaning and lack of clear advantages have many calling for a moratorium on its use. Spontaneous breathing, however, has a number of salutatory effects on gas exchange, the distribution of ventilation, and hemodynamics. These issues will be explored in light of a growing body of evidence.