Topographic distribution of tidal ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome: effects of positive end-expiratory pressure and pressure support.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is characterized by collapse of gravitationally dependent lung regions that usually diverts tidal ventilation toward nondependent regions. We hypothesized that higher positive end-expiratory pressure and enhanced spontaneous breathing may increase the proportion of tidal ventilation reaching dependent lung regions in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome undergoing pressure support ventilation. Prospective, randomized, cross-over study. General and neurosurgical ICUs of a single university-affiliated hospital. We enrolled ten intubated patients recovering from acute respiratory distress syndrome, after clinical switch from controlled ventilation to pressure support ventilation. We compared, at the same pressure support ventilation level, a lower positive end-expiratory pressure (i.e., clinical positive end-expiratory pressure = 7 ± 2 cm H2O) with a higher one, obtained by adding 5 cm H2O (12 ± 2 cm H2O). Furthermore, a pressure support ventilation level associated with increased respiratory drive (3 ± 2 cm H2O) was tested against resting pressure support ventilation (12 ± 3 cm H2O), at clinical positive end-expiratory pressure. During all study phases, we measured, by electrical impedance tomography, the proportion of tidal ventilation reaching dependent and nondependent lung regions (Vt%dep and Vt%(nondep)), regional tidal volumes (Vt(dep) and Vt(nondep)), and antero-posterior ventilation homogeneity (Vt%nondep/Vt%dep). We also collected ventilation variables and arterial blood gases. Application of higher positive end-expiratory pressure levels increased Vt%dep and Vtdep values and decreased Vt%nondep/Vt%dep ratio, as compared with lower positive end-expiratory pressure (p < 0.01). Similarly, during lower pressure support ventilation, Vt%dep increased, Vtnondep decreased, and Vtdep did not change, likely indicating a higher efficiency of posterior diaphragm that led to decreased Vt%nondep/Vt%dep (p < 0.01). Finally, PaO2/FIO2 ratios correlated with Vt%dep during all study phases (p < 0.05). In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome undergoing pressure support ventilation, higher positive end-expiratory pressure and lower support levels increase the fraction of tidal ventilation reaching dependent lung regions, yielding more homogeneous ventilation and, possibly, better ventilation/perfusion coupling.

Citation

Tommaso Mauri, Giacomo Bellani, Andrea Confalonieri, Paola Tagliabue, Marta Turella, Andrea Coppadoro, Giuseppe Citerio, Nicolo' Patroniti, Antonio Pesenti. Topographic distribution of tidal ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome: effects of positive end-expiratory pressure and pressure support. Critical care medicine. 2013 Jul;41(7):1664-73

Mesh Tags

PMID: 23507723

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