Table 1 Potential target values for safe spontaneous breathing

Esophageal pressure

Peak end-inspiratory transpulmonary pressure (P_L)

≤20 cmH₂O

Swing in transpulmonary pressure (ΔP_L)

≤15 cmH₂O

Peak inspiratory muscle pressure (P_mus)

5–10 cmH₂O

Esophageal pressure swing (ΔP_es)

3–8 cmH₂O

Transdiaphragmatic pressure swing (ΔP_di)

5–10 cmH₂O

Pressure time product (PTP)

50–100 cmH₂O/s/min

Occlusion maneuvers

Inspiratory occlusion for plateau airway pressure (P_plat)

≤30 cmH₂O

Inspiratory occlusion for driving pressure (ΔP_aw = P_plat − PEEP)

≤15 cmH₂O

Expiratory occlusion for estimated P_mus

5–10 cmH₂O

Airway occlusion pressure (P_0.1)

1.5–3.5 cmH₂O

Electromyography

Diaphragm electrical activity (EA_di)

Uncertain