PEEP stands for Positive End-Expiratory Pressure.
What does PEEP mean?
pressure kept in the lungs at the end of breathing out
PEEP stands for positive end-expiratory pressure, the positive pressure that is kept in the airways at the end of breathing out, above the normal atmospheric pressure. On a ventilator, PEEP stops the small air sacs of the lungs from collapsing between breaths, which keeps more of the lung open and improves oxygen levels. Applied PEEP is set by the ventilator, while intrinsic or auto-PEEP happens when air is trapped, as in obstructive lung disease. Correct PEEP is an important part of lung-protective ventilation.
When is PEEP used?
PEEP is a key ventilator setting in critical care and anesthesia, adjusted to balance oxygenation against pressure on the lungs.
Frequently asked questions
What does PEEP stand for?
PEEP stands for positive end-expiratory pressure, the pressure kept in the airways at the end of breathing out.
What does PEEP do?
It stops the small air sacs of the lungs from collapsing between breaths, which keeps the lung open and improves oxygen levels.
What is auto-PEEP?
Auto-PEEP, or intrinsic PEEP, happens when air is trapped in the lungs from incomplete exhalation, as in obstructive lung disease.
Why does PEEP matter?
Setting the right PEEP is an important part of lung-protective ventilation in critically ill patients.