When is the criteria weaning the patient from mechanical ventilation?
Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is the positive airway pressure at the end of expiration or exhalation that is necessary to prevent the alveoli from collapsing. The PEEP works opposite to the expiration to prevent total lung collapse and is always more than the atmospheric pressure. It can be of two types: Auto PEEP: Result of incomplete expiration Extrinsic PEEP: Given by ventilator to increase oxygenation PEEP therapy is effectively used in mechanical ventilation to: •Increase oxygenation •Improve ventilation-perfusion mismatch •Prevent lung collapse or atelectasis •Decreases alveolar trauma •Increase functional residual capacity. Complications of PEEP are: •Decrease in venous return •Decrease in preload •Decreased cardiac output •Reduction in arterial blood pressure •Increased intrathoracic pressure •Barotrauma to lungs