ABSTRACT

Positive end-expiratory pressure is the maintenance of a positive pressure within the lungs throughout expiration, and may be applied during intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) or during spontaneous breathing – when it is called ‘continuous positive airway pressure’ (CPAP). There are advantages and disadvantages to PEEP: • Advantages

• increased airway pressure • increased functional residual capacity (FRC) • recruitment of collapsed alveoli • decreased airway resistance • reduced V-Q mismatch • improved distribution of inspired gas • reduced work of breathing • increased PO2 due to increase in FRC • prevention of surfactant aggregation, reducing alveolar collapse.