“pressure control” refers to an assist control mode (there is also a SIMV pressure control mode on some ventilators). In pressure control, a pressure limited breath is delivered at a set rate. The tidal volume is determined by the preset pressure limit. This is a peak pressure rather than a plateau pressure limit (easier to measure). The inspiratory time is also set by the operator. Again this is a trade off between short times with rapid inflow and outflow of gas, and long times with gas trapping. The flow waveform is always decelerating in pressure control: this relates to the mechanics of targeting airway pressure: flow slows as it reaches the pressure limit