What could cause a persistent high pressure alarm in a patient receiving mechanical ventilation?

A persistent high pressure alarm during mechanical ventilation typically indicates an increase in resistance within the ventilatory circuit or to airflow into the lungs. Excessive secretions can significantly contribute to this alarm as they may obstruct airways, leading to increased work during inspiration. The ventilator's pressure limit might be exceeded due to the additional pressure required to overcome the resistance from these secretions.

In a clinical setting, thick or copious secretions can accumulate in the airways, resulting in limited airflow and making it difficult for the ventilator to deliver breaths effectively. This situation necessitates the recruitment of higher pressures, triggering the alarm as the preset thresholds are exceeded.

While other factors such as a collapsed lung, an underinflated cuff, or improper ventilator settings can also lead to high pressure alarms, excessive secretions are directly associated with airway obstruction, making them a primary cause of this alarm in the context of respiratory care.