Optimizing Ventilation: Evaluating Tidal Volumes with Adult vs. Pediatric Bag Valve Masks

Abstract

During cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) the bag valve mask (BVM) is commonly used to provide manual ventilation. With more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year, proper ventilations with the BVM is imperative. Excessive ventilation with a BVM can lead to barotrauma, volutrauma, and lung damage, leading to poor patient outcomes. Currently, BVMs have the capacity to deliver large tidal volumes that exceed lung protective thresholds. This increases the risk of barotrauma and volutrauma. Adult BVMs have volumes of 1000mL and pediatric BVMs between 450-650mL. The average adult male has a tidal volume of 500mL and females an average of 400mL. The purpose of this Evidence-Based Research is to assess whether using pediatric BVMs versus adult BVMs results in tidal volumes within lung protective volumes. Nurses and healthcare providers can use this information to deliver appropriate tidal volumes with the BVM. Physiologically appropriate tidal volumes reduce the risk of lung injury and improve patient outcomes. Understanding the differences between the adult and pediatric BVM can guide clinical practice to align with lung protective strategies.