intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (intrinsic PEEP), elevated positive end-expiratory pressure and dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation caused by insufficient expiratory time or a limitation on expiratory flow. It cannot be routinely measured by a ventilator’s pressure monitoring system but only by an expiratory hold maneuver done by the clinician. Its presence increases the work required to trigger the ventilator, causes errors in the calculation of pulmonary compliance, may cause hemodynamic compromise, and complicates interpretation of hemodynamic measurements. Also called auto-PEEP.
