Positive end-expiratory pressure

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Synonyms and keywords: PEEP

Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a term used in mechanical ventilation to denote the amount of pressure above atmospheric pressure present in the airway at the end of the expiratory cycle. The equivalent in a spontaneously breathing patient is CPAP. PEEP is set on the ventilator.

PEEP improves gas exchange by preventing alveolar collapse, recruiting more lung units, increasing functional residual capacity, and redistributing fluid in the alveoli.

Hypoxemia due to the following:

• ARDS
• Pneumonia
• Pulmonary edema
• Atelectasis

• Increased Intracranial Pressure
• Pneumothorax that has not been treated
• Bronchopleural fistula

• Positive pressure ventilation
• Positive airway pressure

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