PEEP

Medical abbreviation · Respiratory

PEEP
Stands forPositive end-expiratory pressure
CategoriesMedical

PEEP stands for Positive end-expiratory pressure, a respiratory abbreviation.

Pressure maintained in the airways at the end of each exhalation during mechanical or noninvasive ventilation, preventing the air sacs from collapsing and improving oxygenation. Most ventilated adults receive at least 5 cm H2O.

Example: AC/VC, Vt 420, RR 22, PEEP 12, FiO2 0.6; titrate PEEP per ARDSNet table.

Usage notes

Higher PEEP recruits collapsed lung in ARDS, often set from tables pairing PEEP with FiO2. Too much PEEP can overdistend healthy lung and reduce venous return, lowering blood pressure. Intrinsic or auto-PEEP builds up when patients with asthma or COPD cannot exhale fully before the next breath, risking hypotension and barotrauma. Pronounced "peep."

More respiratory abbreviations

  • OHS – Obesity hypoventilation syndrome
  • OSA – Obstructive sleep apnea
  • P/F – PaO2/FiO2 ratio
  • PAH – Pulmonary arterial hypertension
  • PAP – Positive airway pressure
  • PE – Pulmonary embolism
  • PEF – Peak expiratory flow
  • PEFR – Peak expiratory flow rate
  • PF – Pulmonary fibrosis
  • PFT – Pulmonary function test
  • PH – Pulmonary hypertension
  • PIP – Peak inspiratory pressure

See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.