What is a consequence of auto PEEP?

What is a consequence of auto PEEP?

• A. Increased lung inflation
• B. Air trapping and incomplete exhalation
• C. Improved oxygenation
• D. Enhanced spontaneous breathing

Answer: (B)

Auto PEEP, or intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure, occurs when there is insufficient time for the lungs to fully deflate before the next breath is initiated. This situation can lead to `air trapping` where air remains in the lungs at the end of expiration. As a result, this incomplete exhalation can cause an accumulation of pressure and volume in the lungs, which may further impede effective ventilation, especially in patients with obstructive lung disease. Thus, by trapping air and not allowing complete expiration, auto PEEP can contribute to increased work of breathing and potentially reduced ventilation efficiency. This phenomenon becomes critical to understand in the context of mechanical ventilation and patient management, as it can impact overall respiratory function and patient comfort.

Auto PEEP, or intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure, occurs when there is insufficient time for the lungs to fully deflate before the next breath is initiated. This situation can lead to air trapping where air remains in the lungs at the end of expiration. As a result, this incomplete exhalation can cause an accumulation of pressure and volume in the lungs, which may further impede effective ventilation, especially in patients with obstructive lung disease.

Thus, by trapping air and not allowing complete expiration, auto PEEP can contribute to increased work of breathing and potentially reduced ventilation efficiency. This phenomenon becomes critical to understand in the context of mechanical ventilation and patient management, as it can impact overall respiratory function and patient comfort.