Capnography-sample line leak and incremental positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP); an interesting interplay

Abstract

The capnography is an important monitor to assess the patient’s respiratory status. Importance of education for clinicians in interpretation of alarms and various capnography waveforms in different clinical scenarios and equipment malfunction is an understatement. Capnography waveforms due to sample line tube leak is described well in literature. This report describes an interesting effect of incremental positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) on capnography waveforms linked to sample line leak.