Abstract
Objective: To review in the literature the peculiarities of the use of invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with traumatic brain injury and the strategies to reduce ventilation time in the patients. Methods: An integrative review was done from existing literature, where the search for the articles was performed trough the insertion of the specific descriptors in the databases BVS, PubMed and SciELO. We included studies published between 2007 and 2016, in Portuguese and English. Results: With the insertion of the descriptors in the databases was found 2702 articles. After refinement, 8 articles related to ventilation and TCE, were selected for the preparation of the study. The studies analyzed show that invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with cranioencephalic trauma is aimed at reducing headache and promoting gas exchange since the individual may present a level of consciousness lowering due to trauma or pharmacological and / or surgical strategies For treatment of TCE. In this patient, the use of ventilation modes that promote hyperventilation, humidifiers, filters, heat and humidity exchanger, and early tracheostomy are strategies that aim to reduce ventilatory time. Conclusion: It was possible to conclude that invasive mechanical ventilation, although necessary to the patient, can lead to secondary dysfunctions, thus, the ventilatory strategies are directed directly at weaning and extubation of the patient in a shorter period.