Skip to airway content Airway of the MonthRead the patient. Rescue the airway. Run the room.

Post-intubation rescue

High Airway Pressure After Intubation

High pressure is not a diagnosis. The key move is to classify resistance, compliance, equipment, tube, and patient-ventilator interaction.

high pressureventilatorobstructionbronchospasm

Clinical-use limit: Educational resource and cognitive-aid guide only; not a bedside order set or substitute for local protocol, medical direction, or clinical judgment.

Case management cards

Tap each card to reveal the focused answer. The four cards match the airway workflow: before, during, after, and pitfalls.

Related resources

Troubleshooting hubVentilator calculators

References and anchors

ACEP adult ED intubation clinical policyACEP rapid-sequence intubation policy statementACEP mechanical ventilation policy statement
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 reviewed: 2026-07-23 Next scheduled review: 2027-01-23 Designed for: EM residents, emergency physicians, EMS clinicians, airway educators, and simulation faculty Important: Educational resource and cognitive-aid guide only; not a bedside order set or substitute for local protocol, medical direction, or clinical judgment. Website contact: [email protected]