Background　Mechanical ventilation is one of the most common clinical respiratory support strategies. However,prolonged mechanical ventilation can cause diaphragmatic atrophy and contraction dysfunction, namely ventilaor-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction(VIDD), which is related to weaning failure of critically ill patients.　Objective　The pathogenesis of VIDD is complex and it is still lack of effective prevention and control strategies in clinical treatment. The current article reviewed the mainly related mechanisms, especially the early starting and regulating mechanisms as well as the prevention and treatment measures of VIDD, looking for potential research breakthrough.　Content　This article described research backgrounds, pathophysiological alterations, mechanisms and prevention measures of VIDD.　Trend　The precise mechanisms and effective prevention measures of VIDD still need further researches to clarify.