What is a commonly recognized risk when lung compliance worsens during volume-cycled ventilation?

When lung compliance worsens during volume-cycled ventilation, the lungs become stiffer and less able to expand with each breath. This decreased compliance necessitates increased pressures to deliver a set tidal volume. Consequently, the ventilation system may expose the lungs to higher inspiratory pressures, which raises the risk of barotrauma or volutrauma. Barotrauma refers to damage to the lung tissue caused by excessive air pressure, while volutrauma relates to lung injury from over-distention due to excessive tidal volumes.

In this scenario, the body's need for higher pressures to achieve the desired volume can lead to dangerous situations where the lungs can't handle the force being exerted. For example, if the ventilator is set to deliver a specific volume and compliance is low, the resulting pressures could exceed safe thresholds, leading to injuries that compromise the patient's lung function.

While reduced tidal volume, difficulty in patient weaning, and decreased inspiratory pressures are all relevant considerations in the context of ventilation and lung compliance, they do not directly capture the immediate risk associated with worsened compliance like barotrauma or volutrauma does.