waveform
Last reviewed 01/2018
Considering the waveform of the pressure plotted against time, the ventilators may be set at square wave - meaning that there is the non physiological situation of maximal inspiratory pressure immediately after the end of expiration, which may result in barotrauma, but has the advantage of increasing the delivery of oxygen to the neonate.
In a non square wave setting the shape of the wave is the result of the compliance of the lung - a stiff lung, such as in hyaline membrane disease, will result in a slower rise.