The document discusses various aspects of mechanical ventilation including:
1. Indications for ventilation include acute ventilatory failure, impending failure, severe hypoxemia, and prophylactic support.
2. Goals of ventilation are to improve gas exchange, relieve respiratory distress, improve pulmonary mechanics, permit airway healing, and avoid complications.
3. Initial modes of ventilation include full support modes where the ventilator does all the work of breathing or partial support modes where the ventilator assists with some work of breathing.