Pressure versus Time Graph

OVERVIEW

Pressure versus Time Graph. Information obtained

  • peak inspiratory pressure
  • plateau pressure
  • compliance = gradient between PIP and Pplat (small = decreased)
  • type of ventilation (volume vs pressure controlled)
  • get a sense of flow rate
  • CPAP level = pressure at beginning of inspiration
  • patient triggering = negative deflection into CPAP just before inspiration

COMMON ABNORMALITIES

Normal

  • normal PIP, Pplat, PTA (transairway pressure) and Ti (inspiratory time)
  • pressure controlled ventilation shown below

High Raw

  • raised PTA with increased airways resistance

High Flow

  • inspiratory time short with high peak inspiratory pressure -> high inspiratory gas flow

Inadequate inspiratory flow

  • scooped appearance to the synchronized breaths

Decreased Lung Compliance

  • increased plateau pressure and increased PIP -> poor compliance

Auto PEEP

  • expiratory hold -> pressure-time waveform doesn’t return to base line

Dynamic Hyperinflation

  • inspiratory hold -> plateau pressure > 25cmH20

Cardiac oscillations

  • base line of pressure time wave forms moves up and down with the heart beat -> triggering synchronized breaths

Circuit leaks

  • wave form drifts downwards (expired volume < inspired volume)

CCC Ventilation Series

Critical Care

Compendium

Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the  Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.

He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.

His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.

On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.

| INTENSIVE | RAGE | Resuscitology | SMACC

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