Skip to airway content Airway of the MonthStudy the case. Practice the plan. Debrief the room.

Vent control

Overdistension loops

Bird-beak pattern near end inspiration suggests excessive VT/pressure for current mechanics.

Open overdistension branchHigh pressure pathway.Check PBW/VTSizing and ventilator references.

Overdistension loop pattern

Overdistension loop pattern

Bird-beak loop and overdistension clues.

Original Airway of the Month teaching diagrams redrawn from standard ventilator scalar and loop conventions. Interpretation is anchored to the AARC 2024 Patient–Ventilator Assessment guideline, the peer-reviewed Basics of Ventilator Waveforms review, the 2026 SYNAPsE asynchrony consensus, and the University of Pennsylvania Ventilator Overview and Troubleshooting tip sheet. Waveforms are pattern-recognition aids, not diagnoses; display colors, labels, and orientation vary by ventilator brand.

Evidence and use limits

Last reviewed: 2026-07-17. Designed for: emergency medicine learners, clinicians, EMS, RT, and airway educators.

This page supports healthcare-professional education and source review. It does not select therapy or generate a patient-specific recommendation. Verify current evidence, equipment instructions, and local policy before clinical application.

Full references · Editorial policy · AARC 2024 ventilator assessment · ATS/ESICM/SCCM lung-protective ventilation · ATS 2024 ARDS update

About this resource
Created by: Andrew Pirotte, MD; Kyle Brown, MD; Reba Hodge, MD; Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP; Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP; Joshua Mohess Clinical review: Emergency medicine faculty review completed. Medication content reviewed by Amanda Vanderwerf, PharmD, BCEMP, and Morgan Kimball, PharmD, BCEMP. Last source review: 2026-08-06 Next scheduled review: 2027-02-06 Designed for: EM residents, emergency physicians, EMS clinicians, airway educators, and simulation faculty Important: Education and source review only; no patient-specific or time-critical recommendations. Independently verify current evidence and local policy. Website contact: kybrown@kumc.edu