My neice just told me my sister is breathing above the ventilator what does this mean she had trouble breathing went to hospital in coma?

Brainstem is working: Breathing above the ventilator tells you that your sister is not "brain-dead" -- other than that, it does not mean much. Patients can breathe above the set rate on the ventilator as they being to wake up from a coma. Agitation, anxeity, and blood acidosis are other reasons why a person may breath above the set rate (as is a low set-rate to begin with ie. 6 breaths per minute).

Unclear question: I would assume pateint is breathing on he rown and may not need the ventilator anymore but I am simply guessing.