When possible, plateau pressures should be limited to a maximum of 30 to 35 cm H2O because higher pressures can damage the lung through overdistention. This recommendation is based in part on animal studies that show that pressures below this range seem to protect the lungs from injury.Click to see full answer. Also question is, how do you calculate plateau pressure?Plateau pressure = the relationship between volume and compliance, in the absence of flow. Compliance = volume divided by pressure. Tidal volume = flow multipied by time.Subsequently, question is, what is the difference between peak and plateau pressures? Peak pressure applies when there is airflow in the circuit, i.e. during inspiration. What determines the peak pressure is the airway resistance in the lungs. So it follows that if there is a problem with the airways the peak pressure will rise. Plateau pressure applies when there is not airflow in the circuit. Also know, can plateau pressure be higher than peak? Yes. In pressure-regulated modes of ventilation, plateau pressures can be higher than peak pressures if inspiratory efforts of the patient generate larger tidal volumes and significantly negative pleural pressures.Can you measure plateau pressure in pressure control ventilation?Paw is airway pressure, PIP is peak airway pressure, Pplat is plateau pressure. Some researchers have suggested that plateau pressures should be monitored as a means to prevent barotrauma in the patient with ARDS. Plateau pressures are measured at the end of the inspiratory phase of a ventilator-cycled tidal volume.