Plateau pressure explained

Plateau pressure (P_PLAT) is the pressure applied to small airways and alveoli during positive-pressure mechanical ventilation.^[1] It is measured during an inspiratory pause on the mechanical ventilator.^[2] In ARDS maintain plateau pressure <30cm of water measured on ventilator.

References

1. Morgan, Edward G., Maged Mikhail and Michael Murry. Clinical Anesthesiology, Fourth edition, 2006. McGraw Hill, Philadelphia. Pg. 82
2. Moon, Richard and Enrico Camporesi “Respiratory Monitoring”. Miller’s Anesthesia, Sixth edition, Ronald Miller (Ed), 2005, Elsevier, New York. Pg.1466.