Mechanical power has been proposed as a measure to quantify the risk of lung injury from mechanical ventilation. However, the association between high mechanical power and poor clinical outcomes is still not well understood. In a recent study, von Wedel and colleagues examined the ventilator adjustments during the transition from the operating room to the ICU and their impact on mortality. They found that higher mechanical power was associated with a higher 28-day mortality rate. These findings challenge the current paradigm of lung-protective ventilation and suggest that adjustments associated with lower tidal volumes, such as increased respiratory rate, may convey risk. However, the study has limitations, including its retrospective and observational nature. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the optimal way to calculate mechanical power and its clinical significance. Clinical trials targeting mechanical power may provide more insights into ventilator-induced lung injury.