Mechanical ventilation (MV) is an effective treatment for respiratory failure. In recent years, it has been found that MV can not only cause ventilation-associated lung injury (VALI), but also cause ventilation-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD). Although the injury site and etiology are not the same, they are interrelated and mutually causal, and eventually lead to weaning failure. Studies have indicated that diaphragmatic function protection strategy should be implemented in patients on MV. That is, the entire process from assessing the ability of spontaneous breathing before MV, to the initiation of spontaneous breathing and to weaning during MV. For patients on MV, continuous monitoring of respiratory muscle strength should be conducted. Early prevention, early intervention and timely detection of VIDD may reduce the occurrence of difficult weaning, resulting in improved prognosis. This study mainly discussed the risk factors and pathogenesis of VIDD.