From Physiology to Pathology: Advances in Ventilation and Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal

Breathing is one of the most important processes in the body because it allows the intake of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism. The lungs are the main organs that make this exchange possible. However, many lung diseases like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and restrictive disorders can affect this function and sometimes cause respiratory failure. To help patients in these situations, technology, such as mechanical ventilators, is often used. These machines support breathing, but they also come with risks like lung damage or infections. To improve care, newer methods like extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO), and extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO₂R) have been developed. These systems allow the blood to be directly oxygenated and cleared of carbon dioxide, giving the lungs time to rest and heal. The development of these treatments shows how medicine is moving toward strategies that protect the lungs while still supporting life. This paper will discuss how breathing works, the main diseases that affect it, and how different machines and systems have been developed to save patients with severe respiratory problems.