Components of a patient-triggered mechanical breath. Components of a patient-triggered mechanical breath. The triggering phase comprises the trigger variable. The post-triggering phase consists of the variable controlling pressure or flow delivery and the cycling-off variable. In pressure-control ventilation, the pressurization rate determines flow delivery, while in flow-cycled pressure-control ventilation the cycling-off variable determines mechanical inspiratory time. Catherine SH Sassoon Respir Care 2011;56:39-51 (c) 2012 by Daedalus Enterprises, Inc.