Reverse triggering induced by endotracheal tube leak in lightly sedated ARDS patient

Abstract

Reverse triggering is respiratory entrainment triggered by the ventilator especially seen among heavily sedated patients. We confirmed reverse triggering induced by auto-triggering in lightly sedated patient through an esophageal pressure monitoring. The reverse triggering frequently caused breath stacking with increased tidal volume. Physicians should be aware, even at an optimal level of sedation, that reverse triggering can develop, possibly caused by auto-triggering.