Many terms are used in mechanical ventilation, some are specific to brand, model, trademark and mode of mechanical ventilation.[1] There is a standardized nomenclature of mechanical ventilation that is specific about nomenclature related to modes, but not settings and variables.[2]
Terms are now split into acronyms of CONTROL VARIABLE + BREATH SEQUENCE + TARGETING SCHEME. As in PC-CMV, Pressure Controlled Continuous Mandatory Ventilation. The term trigger (commonly flow or pressure) denotes the criteria that starts inspiration and cycle denotes the criteria that stops it. The target variable should not be confused with the cycle variable or the control variable. The target variable only sets an upper limit for pressure, volume or flow.