Comparison of 2 Strategies of Adjustment of Mechanical Ventilation in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Overview

The aim of this multicenter randomized controlled trial is to compare the impact on mortality of patients mechanically ventilated for acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome of two strategies for setting end-expiratory pressure.

Most patients suffering from acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome require mechanical ventilation. In this setting, positive end-expiratory pressure is used to improve arterial oxygenation. While the beneficial effect on clinical outcome of using low tidal volume is clearly proven, the best way to titrate PEEP is not known. Higher PEEP levels may better improve oxygenation and reduce ventilator-induced lung injury by reducing end-expiratory alveolar collapse but may also cause circulatory depression and aggravate lung injury from end-inspiratory overdistension. This trial compares the impact on outcome of two strategies for setting PEEP. In the "minimal alveolar distension" arm, PEEP is set for a total PEEP (PEEP + intrinsic PEEP) between 5 and 9 cm H20). In the "maximal alveolar recruitment" arm, PEEP is set for a plateau pressure between 28 and 30 cm H20. A tidal volume of 6 ml/kg predicted body weight is used in the two arms. The goals for arterial oxygenation and PaCO2 are the same in the two arms.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (46)

Outcomes