What is Peak and Plateau Pressure in Mechanical Ventilation?

What is peak and plateau pressure and why do we need to know what they are? How can they help us treat our mechanically ventilated patient? I hope I go a little way to explain.

I have more resources for you to look at on my website at:

You can also access my podcasts in iTunes 'Critical Care Practitioner'

[akinert]

This was such a clear, quick, and helpful explanation! Thank you!!

[kencannon]

I have a hard and fast rule about not commenting on Youtube videos. A rule that I am violating in response to the awesomeness of that explanation. Thank You, kind sir. You're the man!

[DGTALSYNAPS]

@02:00 you said occluding at the end of expiration, I believe you meant to say inspiration. Maybe toss up a caption in the video for the audience. Great video.

[hafizasidra]

Finally after wasting so much time i landed at the right place.... Thankyou for such an easy explanation ❤

[samanthagonah]

The balloon analogy was great. Totally understood

[jjlatinopedia]

That balloon example cleared up A LOT of initial questions. Thanks.

[CaseyRoff]

Exactly what I needed to hear mate! Thanks for the video

[carolinebaldwin]

This was a very helpful video! Concise but answered all of my questions. Thank you!

[majorheroes]

Very instructive video. @3:17 you explained that a difference greater than 5mmHg between Ppeak and Pplat is defined as an elevated Ppeak.
Any reason why mmHg as a measurement and not cmH20 as most ventilator use this measurement?
Many thanks

[aungthurashwe]

TQ, sir . Clear explanation, save tons of books & time for me

[shainz]

Elegant, brief and yet comprehensible !

[kerollosshaker]

Thank you, sir!
Such a fantastic explanation for a confusing topic!

[checkm]

Thanks. This was more helpful than reading a book with fancy words and 10 pages of dialogue explaining it.

[charlesasiedu]

Just had a lesson on acid base balance and it was really useful

[ghiix]

Thanks so much i have a presentation about airway pressure and this was a quick, amazing, clear explanation of PIP and Pplat !!!! Keep going

[joannaghobrial]

SO HELPFUL!!! Was struggling with this for weeks

[scottchiu]

Clear and easy understanding video, big thanks to you

[jonwhite]

Solid explanation. So is elevated peak pressure defined solely by its relation to plateau pressure? In other words, if elevated peak pressure is defined as >5 over plateau pressure, does this mean that if plateau pressure were to be increased (and peak pressure stayed the same), the peak pressure would no longer be considered elevated even though only the plateau pressure changed? And what about the definition of high/low plateau pressure. Is it also defined only by its relation to peak pressure?

[gabrielleju]

Subscribed. Thank you for the brief and very clear explanation. Like your accent btw :D

[mahshidsarrami]

Thank you so very much. I had such a hard time to find this info on Google. Could you please make some videos about the difference in ARDS and pulmonary HTN. I also am having problem with how to answer bored questions in regard to adjusting the vent in ARDS or pH. Much thanks.