andrewfaniku

If you think of the lung as a balloon that works better when it is slightly filled with air, rather than completely collapsed, It will be easier to understand the concept of PEEP- Which stand for positive end expiratory pressure. PEEP is that small pressure that keeps the balloon just a little filled with air- to keep it open so that it doesn’t collapse altogether. PEEP is just what CPAP gives. CPAP gives just a little continuous pressure to keep the lungs open, but what is the use of a lung that's only slightly opened if is not breathing? Now, that's where PPV comes in, PPV or bagging gives the “open and close” pressure that makes the balloon (lungs) inflate and then deflate. Just like we do when breathing- we inhale and then we exhale. So that’s why PPV is better than CPAP for a baby that’s apneic or not breathing at all, and CPAP will be better for a baby that is able to breath on it’s own but just needs a little support to keep the lungs from collapsing. I hope this explanation helps.