Pressure-volume curve of total respiratory system in acute respiratory failure. Computed tomographic scan study

To investigate the relationship between lung anatomy and pulmonary mechanics in acute respiratory failure (ARF), 20 patients with ARF underwent computerized tomography (CT) at 3 levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) (5, 10, and 15 cm H2O). The static pressure-volume curve of the total respiratory system and the lung volumes (helium dilution method) were also measured. By knowing the lung volumes and analyzing the CT number frequency distribution, a quantitative estimate of normally aerated, poorly aerated, and nonaerated lung tissue was obtained at each level of PEEP. The recruitment was defined as the percent increase of normally aerated tissue from 5 to 15 cm H2O. We found that the different compliances (starting compliance, inflation compliance, and deflation compliance) were correlated only with the amount of normally aerated tissue present in the range of pressures explored by a given compliance (5 cm H2O for starting compliance and 15 cm H2O for inflation and deflation compliances). No relationship was found between the compliances and the poorly aerated and nonaerated tissue. The specific compliance was in the normal range, whereas the amount of recruitment was related to the ratio of inflation compliance to starting compliance. Our data suggest that (1) the pressure-volume curve parameters in ARF investigate only the residual healthy zones of the lung and do not directly estimate the "amount" of disease (poorly or nonaerated tissue), (2) the pressure-volume curve may allow an estimate of the anatomic recruitment, and (3) the residual normally aerated zones of the ARF lung seem to maintain a normal intrinsic elasticity.     

Tomographic study of the inflection points of the pressure-volume curve in acute lung injury

The inflection points of the pressure-volume curve have been used for setting mechanical ventilation in patients with acute lung injury. However, the lung status at these points has never been specifically addressed. In 12 patients with early lung injury we traced both limbs of the pressure-volume curve by means of a stepwise change in airway pressure, and a computed tomography (CT) scan slice was obtained for every pressure level. Although aeration (increase in normally aerated lung) and recruitment (decrease in nonaerated lung) were parallel and continuous along the pressure axis during inflation, loss of aeration and derecruitment were only significant at pressures below the point of maximum curvature on the deflation limb of the pressure-volume curve. This point was related to a higher amount of normally aerated tissue and a lower amount of nonaerated tissue when compared with the lower inflection point on both limbs of the curve. Aeration at the inflection points was similar in lung injury from pulmonary or extrapulmonary origin. There were no significant changes in hyperinflated lung tissue. These results support the use of the deflation limb of the pressure-volume curve for positive end-expiratory pressure setting in patients with acute lung injury.     

Effects of short-term pressure-controlled ventilation on gas exchange,airway pressures,and gas distribution in patients with acute lung injury/ARDS: comparison with volume-controlled ventilation

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The potential clinical benefits of pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) over volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) or ARDS still remain debated. We compared PCV with VCV in patients with ALI/ARDS with respect to the following physiologic end points: (1) gas exchange and airway pressures, and (2) CT scan intrapulmonary gas distribution at end-expiration. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: A multidisciplinary ICU in a nonuniversity, acute-care hospital. PATIENTS: Ten patients with ALI or ARDS (9 men and 1 woman; age range, 17 to 80 years). INTERVENTIONS: Sequential ventilation in PCV and VCV with a constant inspiratory/expiratory ratio, tidal volume, respiratory rate, and total positive end-expiratory pressure; measurement of gas exchange and airway pressures; and achievement of CT sections at lung base, hilum, and apex for the quantitative analysis of lung densities and of aerated vs nonaerated zones. RESULTS: PaO(2), PaCO(2), and PaO(2)/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio levels did not differ between PCV and VCV. Peak airway pressure (Ppeak) was significantly lower in PCV compared with VCV (26 +/- 2 cm H(2)O vs 31 +/- 2 cm H(2)O; p < 0.001; mean +/- SEM). The surface areas of the nonaerated zones as well as the total areas at each section level were unchanged in PCV compared with VCV, except at the apex level, where there was a significantly greater nonaerated area in VCV (11 +/- 2 cm(2) vs 9 +/- 2 cm(2); p < 0.05). The total mean CT number of each lung (20 lungs from 10 patients) was similar in the two modes, as were the density values at the basal and apical levels; the hilum mean CT number was - 442 +/- 28 Hounsfield units (HU) in VCV and - 430 +/- 26 HU in PCV (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: These data show that PCV allows the generation of lower Ppeaks through the precise titration of the lung distending pressure, and might be applied to avoid regional overdistension by means of a more homogeneous gas distribution.     

Computed tomography assessment of positive end-expiratory pressure-induced alveolar recruitment in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Computed tomography (CT) assessment of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)-induced alveolar recruitment is classically achieved by quantifying the decrease in nonaerated lung parenchyma on a single juxtadiaphragmatic section (Gattinoni's method). This approach ignores the alveolar recruitment occurring in poorly aerated lung areas and may not reflect the alveolar recruitment of the entire lung. This study describes a new CT method in which PEEP-induced alveolar recruitment is computed as the volume of gas penetrating in poorly and nonaerated lung regions following PEEP. In 16 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome a thoracic spiral CT scan was performed in ZEEP and PEEP 15 cm H(2)O. According to the new method, PEEP induced a 119% increase in functional residual capacity (FRC). PEEP-induced alveolar recruitment was 499 +/- 279 ml whereas distension and overdistension of previously aerated lung areas were 395 +/- 382 ml and 28 +/- 6 ml, respectively. The alveolar recruitment according to Gattinoni's method was 26 +/- 24 g and no correlation was found between both methods. A significant correlation was found between PEEP-induced alveolar recruitment and increase in Pa(O(2)) only when recruitment was assessed by the new method (Rho = 0.76, p = 0.003), suggesting that it may be more accurate than Gattinoni's method.     

The value of portable chest roentgenography in adult respiratory distress syndrome. Comparison with computed tomography

In 17 patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome, we used data derived from computed tomographic (CT) scan densitometric analysis to validate the value of portable chest roentgenograms in objectively estimating the amount of pulmonary edema. Chest roentgenograms and CT scans were taken in the same ventilatory conditions (apnea at 10 cm H2O of positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP]); blood gas samples and hemodynamic parameters were collected at the same time. Roentgenographic analysis was undertaken by independent observers using two standardized scoring systems proposed in the literature. CT scan analysis was performed using the CT number frequency distribution and the gas lung volume (measured by helium dilution technique) to estimate quantitatively the lung density, the lung weight, and the percentage of normally aerated and nonaerated tissue. Knowing the mean CT number of the pulmonary parenchyma in a group of normal subjects, we also inferred the ideal lung weight expected in the study population and computed the excess tissue mass as the difference between actual and ideal lung weight. Both the roentgenographic scoring systems showed direct correlation with the pulmonary impairment as detected by CT scan densitometric analysis (CT number, percentage of nonaerated tissue, lung weight, and excess tissue mass; p less than 0.01) and inverse relation with the percentage of normally aerated tissue (p less than 0.01). We also found a relationship between roentgenographic scores and the impairment in gas exchange as detected by shunt fraction (p less than 0.05). We conclude that standardized reading of portable chest roentgenograms by means of scoring tables is a valuable tool in estimating the amount of pulmonary edema in a patient with adult respiratory distress syndrome.     

Evaluation of bronchodilator responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients

Airway pressure, flow, and volume were measured before and after administration of aerosolized metaproterenol during controlled mechanical inflation and stepwise deflation of the relaxed respiratory system in 13 mechanically ventilated patients. An increase in passive expiratory flow at constant respiratory system recoil pressure was considered evidence of bronchodilatation. In 10 patients, at a respiratory system recoil pressure of 6 cm H2O (VP6), expiratory flow increased 21 to 500% above prebronchodilator level. In these 10 dynamically hyperinflated patients, an increase in VP6 was associated with a decrease in peak inspiratory pressure (Ppeak) (mean delta = -4.7 cm H2O) and a decrease in intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (Peepi) (mean delta = -2.4 cm H2O). The elastance of the respiratory system was not affected by metaproterenol, and the delta Peepi corresponded to a mean decrease in end-expiratory lung volume of 0.20 L. The results are consistent with predictions based on a single-compartment model. When mean expiratory flow is determined only by the tidal volume and expiratory time, a decrease in airway resistance results in a decrease in lung volume at which patients are ventilated. Therefore, the decrease in Ppeak is caused not only by a decrease in the resistive pressure cost but also by a decrease in the elastic pressure cost of inflating the respiratory system. It is emphasized that Ppeak and Peepi provide valuable information about bronchodilator-induced changes in lung function during controlled mechanical ventilation.     

Serial physiologic studies of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient in acute respiratory failure: clues for weaning?

A patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was studied during acute respiratory failure. On the day of intubation his respiratory rate was 42, the tidal volume 295 ml, and the maximal inspiratory pressure 8 cm H2O. These parameters improved with rest by mechanical ventilation to 16, 620 ml, and 30 cm H2O, respectively, on the day of successful weaning. Daily tidal volumes correlated significantly with maximal inspiratory muscle pressures (r = 0.936; p less than 0.001). Respiratory system compliances and resistances were measured by the inflation, the end-inspiratory occlusion, and the interrupter methods. In general, inflation compliance and occlusion compliance were comparable and significantly smaller than the interrupter compliance (p less than 0.002 and p less than 0.003, respectively), whereas inflation resistance and occlusion maximal resistance were also comparable but significantly smaller than the interrupter resistance (p less than 0.0008 and p less than 0.0006, respectively). The former was due to increased hysteresis of the pressure volume curves and the latter due to expiratory compression of airways. The compliance was low, and the resistance was high on the day of intubation and became much higher and lower, respectively, on the day of successful extubation. These physiological changes were associated with weaning difficulty. We conclude that respiratory failure and weaning are complex physiologic events under the influence of muscle strength, lung mechanics, gas exchange, and control of breathing. Therefore, prediction of weaning success based upon one or two measured parameters as has been done is probably inadequate in difficult patients.     

Hyperinflation-induced lung injury during alveolar flooding in rats: effect of perfluorocarbon instillation.

Mechanical nonuniformity of diseased lungs may predispose them to ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) by overinflation of the more compliant, aerated zones. Perfluorocarbon (PFC) may reduce this nonuniformity by suppressing air-liquid interfaces. Saline (6.8 ml/kg) was instilled into the trachea to mimic alveolar edema and reduce aerated lung volume before mechanical ventilation (6, 16, 24, or 32 ml/kg tidal volume [VT]) for 10 min in rats. Flooding significantly aggravated VILI when VT was 24 or 32 ml/kg, with an increase in the distribution space of albumin in lungs (p < 0.001). Tracheal instillation of a low dose (3.3 ml/kg) of PFC (Liquivent) either before or after the instillation of saline considerably reduced VILI (p < 0.001). Saline instillation raised the lower inflection point of the respiratory system pressure-volume curve to values as high as 25 cm H2O, and produced a significant increase in end-inspiratory pressure (from 38 +/- 2.0 cm H2O to 61 +/- 2.4 cm H2O, for a VT of 32 ml/kg; p < 0.001). PFC significantly reduced the pressure at the lower inflection point and normalized end-inspiratory pressure. These decreases were correlated with a smaller albumin distribution space (p < 0.001). Animals in which PFC instillation failed to reduce the albumin space had pressures similar to those of animals given saline alone. In conclusion, the effectiveness of PFC instillation in reducing VILI may be predicted by the shape of the pressure-volume curve. These findings may help in designing safer clinical studies of mechanical ventilation and in reducing the cost of partial liquid ventilation by reducing doses of PFC.     

Effect of tidal volume and positive end-expiratory pressure on compliance during mechanical ventilation.

In 12 patients requiring therapy with mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure, total static compliance (Cst) increased from 29 +/- 4 ml/cm H2O at a tidal volume (TV) of 5 ml/kg to 42 +/- 7 ml/cm H2O at a TV of 15 ml/kg. Similarly, Cst increased from 42 +/- 7 ml/cm H2O to 52 +/- 8 ml/cm H2O between 0 and 6 cm H2O of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). At high levels of pulmonary inflation (ie, high PEEP and large TV) compliance decreased. The changes of total respiratory compliance with TV were mainly due to changes in pulmonary compliance. With PEEP, the functional residual capacity increased, and specific compliance did not change. Two mechanisms may be responsible for the changes in compliance. First, varying TV or PEEP will alter the position of tidal ventilation on the pressure-volume curve, resulting in an increase in compliance with increasing TV and PEEP up to a point, where overdistention occurs and compliance decreases. Secondly, the function of the surface-lowering substance may be altered in acute pulmonary parenchymal disease, thus disturbing the regulation of surface tension over the range of pulmonary inflation studied.     

Air trapping in the lungs during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in dogs. A mechanism for generating changes in intrathoracic pressure

To test the hypothesis that during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, chest compression with an unobstructed trachea raises and maintains intrathoracic pressure by collapsing airways and trapping air in the lung, we studied 11 dogs (20-32 kg). An inflatable vest compressed the thorax after induction of ventricular fibrillation. First, tracheal airflow was measured by a pneumotachometer during vest inflation and deflation in nine of the dogs. As expected, during the initial phase of vest inflation of cycles after ventilation, air moved out of the lungs, but then airflow stopped. After vest deflation, however, more air moved out of the lungs in eight of the nine dogs; this occurrence indicated that a portion of the inspired tidal volume was trapped during vest inflation. During cycles without prior ventilation, the amount of air expired by chest compression decreased, paradoxically, at higher peak vest pressure (p less than 0.002); this occurrence indicated that air was trapped at the higher vest pressures. The change in right atrial pressure was higher on cycles after ventilation than on cycles without prior ventilation (79 +/- 12 vs. 67 +/- 12 mm Hg [mean +/- SEM], p less than 0.005), and lung volume was higher on cycles after ventilation (p less than 0.001). Next, a 5-Fr micromanometer was advanced down the airway in eight of the dogs. With the tip of the micromanometer 5-8 cm distal to the carina, a zone of high pressure was noted in seven dogs; this high pressure suggested a zone of airway collapse distal to the carina.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Application of tracheal gas insufflation to acute unilateral lung injury in an experimental model

In unilateral lung injury, application of global positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) may cause overdistension of normal alveoli and redistribution of blood flow to diseased lung areas, thereby worsening oxygenation. We hypothesized that selective application of tracheal gas insufflation (TGI) will recruit the injured lung without causing overdistension of the normal lung. In eight anesthetized dogs, left lung saline lavage was performed until Pa(O(2))/FI(O(2)) fell below 100 mm Hg. Then, the dogs were reintubated with a Univent single lumen endotracheal tube that incorporates an internal catheter to provide TGI. After injury, increasing PEEP from 3 to 10 cm H(2)O did not change gas exchange, hemodynamics, or lung compliance. Selective TGI, while keeping end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) constant, improved Pa(O(2))/FI(O(2)) from 212 +/- 43 to 301 +/- 38 mm Hg (p < 0.01) while Pa(CO(2)) and airway pressures decreased (p < 0.01). During selective TGI, reducing tidal volume to 5.2 ml/kg while keeping EELV constant, normalized Pa(CO(2)), did not affect Pa(O(2))/FI(O(2)), and decreased end-inspiratory plateau pressure from 16.6 +/- 1.0 to 11.9 +/- 0.5 cm H(2)O (p < 0.01). In unilateral lung injury, we conclude that selective TGI (1) improves oxygenation at a lower pressure cost as compared with conventional mechanical ventilation, (2) allows reduction in tidal volume without a change in alveolar ventilation, and (3) may be a useful adjunct to limit ventilator-associated lung injury.     

Optoelectronic plethysmography in intensive care patients

We used optoelectronic plethysmography to study 11 normal subjects during quiet and deep breathing, six sedated and paralyzed patients with acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) receiving continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPPV) (positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP] = 10 cm H(2)O, tidal volume [VT] = 300, 600, 900 ml), and seven ALI/ARDS patients receiving pressure support ventilation (PSV) (PEEP 10 cm H(2)O, pressure support = 5, 10, 15, 25 cm H(2)O). The volumes measured using optoelectronic plethysmography were compared with measurements taken using spirometry and pneumotachography. The three methods were highly correlated. The discrepancies found were 1.7 +/- 5.9%, -1.6 +/- 5.4%, and 4.9 +/- 6.4% when comparing optoelectronic plethysmography with spirometry, optoelectronic plethysmography with pneumotachography, and spirometry with pneumotachography, respectively. Accuracy of the compartmentalization procedure (upper thorax, lower thorax, and abdomen) was assessed by calculating compartmental volume changes during isovolume maneuvers. The discrepancy from the ideal zero line was -2.1 +/- 48.3 ml. Abdominal contribution to inspired volume was greater for normal subjects than for PSV patients (63 +/- 11% versus 43 +/- 14%, p < 0.001). It decreased with VT for normal subjects (48.5 +/- 15%, p < 0.05), whereas it increased for CPPV patients (61 +/- 10%, p < 0.05). No significant distribution differences were found between 5 and 25 cm H(2)O PSV. We conclude that optoelectronic plethysmography is a feasible technique able to provide unique data on the distribution of chest wall volume changes in intensive care patients.     

Effects of PEEP on respiratory mechanics after open heart surgery.

Respiratory dysfunction, particularly atelectasis, is common after open heart surgery. Routine use of PEEP (5 to 10 cm H2O) in these patients has been advocated. We studied the effects of different levels of PEEP on respiratory mechanics in ten mechanically ventilated open heart surgery patients in the immediate postoperative period. PEEP was studied in increasing increments and decreasing decrements. This procedure was repeated three times. Flow, tidal volume, and airway pressure were measured. We used the rapid airway occlusion technique to determine static compliance of the respiratory system (Cst,rs) and intrinsic PEEP (PEEPi). The changes in end-expiratory lung volume (delta EELV) were measured with respiratory inductive plethysmography. Recruitment of lung units (Vrec) was estimated as the difference in lung volume between PEEP and zero end-expiratory (ZEEP) for the same static inflation pressure (15 cm H2O). We found that (1) Cst,rs at ZEEP was significantly reduced (60 +/- 2 ml/cm H2O); (2) while PEEP of 5 cm H2O did not cause significant recruitment, higher levels of PEEP (10 to 15 cm H2O) were effective; (3) Cst,rs, Vrec, and delta EELV were higher during stepwise PEEP decrease; (4) after the first and second stepwise PEEP increase-decrease run, there was a small persistent increase in EELV and Cst,rs at ZEEP. No further changes were found after the third run. We conclude that after open heart surgery, PEEP less than 10 cm H2O is not effective to reopen atelectatic lung units.     

Dependencies of respiratory system resistance and elastance on amplitude and frequency in the normal range of breathing

We calculated respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and elastance (Ers) from pressure and flow at the mouth in six seated subjects relaxed at FRC (cheeks tightly compressed) during sinusoidal volume forcing (250, 500, and 750 ml) at 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 Hz. Dependencies of Rrs and Ers on frequency and tidal volume were generally the same in each subject; Rrs tended to decrease with frequency and tidal volume, whereas Ers tended to increase with frequency and decrease with tidal volume. Multiple linear regression of combined data indicated that the frequency and tidal volume effects on Rrs and Ers were significant (p less than 0.05), and that the effects on Rrs decreased at higher flows. Average Rrs was highest (4.43 cm H2O/L/s +/- 0.21 SE) at 0.2 Hz-250 ml, and lowest (3.07 cm H2O/L/s +/- 0.37) at 0.6 Hz-750 ml. Average Ers was highest (12.1 cm H2O/L +/- 1.1) at 0.6 Hz-250 ml, and lowest (7.1 cm H2O/L +/- 0.6) at 0.2 Hz-750 ml. We conclude that frequency and tidal volume dependencies in Rrs and Ers in the normal range of breathing should be considered when interpreting measurements of respiratory system impedance or developing models to describe the mechanical behavior of the respiratory system.     

Serial measurement of pulmonary mechanics assists in weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in neonates with respiratory failure

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a highly invasive therapy for intractable neonatal respiratory failure, and serious complications may occur with increasing duration of bypass. Weaning from bypass is empirical at present. Thus, there is a need to accurately predict when infants can be successfully decannulated. We hypothesized that pulmonary mechanics would reflect lung recovery and, therefore, predict successful weaning from ECMO. We measured pulmonary mechanics daily in 22 neonates, at gestational age of 37.8 +/- 0.6 weeks (SE) requiring ECMO for severe respiratory failure (oxygen index 66 +/- 6). Pulmonary resistance (Rpul), dynamic compliance (Cdyn), and tidal volume (VT) were measured. Rpul did not predict lung recovery. Cdyn within 24 hours of starting ECMO was 0.3 +/- 0.04 ml/cm H2O. Cdyn within 24 hours of weaning from ECMO was 1.2 +/- 0.09 ml/cm H2O (p less than 0.001). All 22 infants had Cdyn greater than 0.6 ml/cm H2O at the time of decannulation, but four infants (20 percent) with Cdyn less than 0.6 ml/cm H2O could not be weaned from ECMO within 20 hours (p less than 0.01). Thus, a minimum Cdyn of 0.6 ml/cm H2O is associated with successful weaning from ECMO. Cdyn of 0.8 ml/cm H2O provided better overall discrimination between those who could be successfully weaned from ECMO. We conclude that serial measurement of dynamic pulmonary compliance predicts successful weaning from ECMO.     

Influence of respiratory behavior on ventilation,respiratory work and intrinsic PEEP during noninvasive nasal pressure support ventilation in normal subjects

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, patients have different inspiratory behaviors during noninvasive pressure support ventilation (PSV): some breathe quietly, others actively help PSV by an additional effort, and others even resist the inspiratory pressure of PSV. OBJECTIVE: What is the influence of patient collaboration (inspiratory behavior) on the efficiency of PSV? METHODS: We ventilated 10 normal subjects with nasal PSV (inspiratory/expiratory: 10/0 and 15/5 cm H(2)O) and measured their flow and volume with a pneumotachograph and their esophageal and gastric pressures during three different respiratory voluntary behaviors: relaxed inspiration, active inspiratory work and resisted inspiration. RESULTS: When compared with relaxed inspiration with 10/0 cm H(2)O PSV: (1) an active inspiratory effort increased tidal volume (from 789 +/- 356 to 1,046 +/- 586 ml; p = 0.006), minute ventilation (from 10.40 +/- 4.45 to 15.77 +/- 7.69 liters/min; p < 0.001), transdiaphragmatic work per cycle (from 0.55 +/- 0.33 to 1.72 +/- 1.40 J/cycle; p = 0.002) and inspiratory work per cycle (from 0.14 +/- 0.20 to 1.26 +/- 1.01 J/cycle; p = 0.003); intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP(i)) increased from 1.23 +/- 1.02 to 3.17 +/- 2.30 cm H(2)O; p = 0.002); (2) a resisted inspiration decreased tidal volume (to 457 +/- 230 ml; p = 0.007), minute ventilation (to 6.93 +/- 3.04 liters/min; p = 0.028) along with a decrease in transdiaphragmatic work but no change in PEEP(i). Data obtained during a bilevel PSV of 15/5 cm H(2)O were similar to those obtained with the 10/0 cm H(2)O settings. CONCLUSIONS: Active inspiratory effort increases ventilation during PSV at the expense of an increased breathing work and PEEP(i). Resisted inspiration inversely decreases inspiratory work and ventilation with no air trapping. These differences between inspiratory behaviors could affect the expected beneficial effects of PSV in acutely ill patients.     

Tidal volume reduction in ARDS. Effect on cardiac output and arterial oxygenation

During continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPPV), mean airway pressure and lung volume will be influenced both by the tidal volume (VT) employed and the amount of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). The effect of varying levels of CPPV on PaO2 and cardiac output (Q) has been previously assessed by adjusting the level of PEEP at constant VT. This study examined the influence of a 200-ml reduction in VT, at a constant PEEP of 15 cm H2O, on the PaO2 and Q of 21 patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The relationship between change in Q and change in total respiratory system compliance (Cst) after VT reduction was also examined. VT reduction from 14.1 +/- 0.8 ml/kg to 11.2 +/- 0.9 ml/kg yielded an increase in Q (+ 15 +/- 12 percent, p less than 0.01) without a significant change in PaO2 (-6.3 +/- 15.0 mm Hg, p = 0.08). Cst increased with VT reduction (+ 3.1 +/- 1.8 ml/cm H2O). There was only a modest correlation (r = +0.42, p = 0.06) between delta Q percent and delta Cst following VT reduction. VT reduction at high level PEEP may yield a significant improvement in Q and net O2 delivery, but the degree of hemodynamic improvement is variable and is not reliably predicted noninvasively by measurement of Cst.     

Sigh in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Mechanical ventilation with plateau pressure lower than 35 cm H2O and high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has been recommended as lung protective strategy. Ten patients with ARDS (five from pulmonary [p] and five from extrapulmonary [exp] origin), underwent 2 h of lung protective strategy, 1 h of lung protective strategy with three consecutive sighs/min at 45 cm H2O plateau pressure, and 1 h of lung protective strategy. Total minute ventilation, PEEP (14.0 +/- 2.2 cm H2O), inspiratory oxygen fraction, and mean airway pressure were kept constant. After 1 h of sigh we found that: (1) PaO2 increased (from 92.8 +/- 18.6 to 137.6 +/- 23.9 mm Hg, p < 0.01), venous admixture and PaCO2 decreased (from 38 +/- 12 to 28 +/- 14%, p < 0.01; and from 52.7 +/- 19.4 to 49.1 +/- 18.4 mm Hg, p < 0.05, respectively); (2) end-expiratory lung volume increased (from 1.49 +/- 0.58 to 1.91 +/- 0.67 L, p < 0.01), and was significantly correlated with the oxygenation (r = 0.82, p < 0.01) and lung elastance (r = 0.76, p < 0.01) improvement. Sigh was more effective in ARDSexp than in ARDSp. After 1 h of sigh interruption, all the physiologic variables returned to baseline. The derecruitment was correlated with PaCO2 (r = 0.86, p < 0.01). We conclude that: (1) lung protective strategy alone at the PEEP level used in this study may not provide full lung recruitment and best oxygenation; (2) application of sigh during lung protective strategy may improve recruitment and oxygenation.     

Respiratory pressure sensation. Relationship to changes in breathing pattern and PCO2 during acute increase in airway resistance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The intensity of sensations experienced during breathing by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) might influence their ventilatory response to altered lung mechanics. In 8 patients with COPD (mean FEV1, 1.6 +/- 0.6 L SD) the acuity with which changes in intrathoracic pressure were perceived was studied by a standard psychophysical technique, magnitude production of inspiratory pressure. Subjects voluntarily produced mouth pressures proportional to numbers randomly presented, and the sensory acuity to changes in pressure was assessed from the slope of log-log plots of numbers versus pressures. These slopes were then related to the ventilatory responses of the patients to external resistive loads of 10 cm H2O/L/s, applied during both inspiration and expiration, and methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction, which doubled baseline specific airway resistance. Both modes of increase in airway resistance caused an increase in end-tidal PCO2 in all patients (range, 0.5 to 11 mmHg). The magnitude of CO2 retention correlated significantly with the change in tidal volume during both external loading and bronchoconstriction (r = -0.77, p less than 0.01); decreases in tidal volume were associated with increases in PCO2. The slope for magnitude production of pressure was inversely related to changes in tidal volume during both modes of increases in airway resistance (r = 0.61, p less than 0.01 for both bronchoconstriction and external resistive loads). Patients with the highest exponents for pressure changes (highest slopes) demonstrated the greatest decreases in tidal volume. Consequently, a direct relationship was found between the magnitude of the exponent and the magnitude of CO2 retention during loaded breathing and bronchoconstriction (r = 0.81, p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cyclic changes in arterial pulse during respiratory support revisited by Doppler echocardiography

It has long been known that there are cyclic changes in arterial pressure during mechanical ventilation. They are caused by cyclic changes in both the right and left ventricular stroke output, occurring in opposite phases. As a result, arterial pulse pressure is increased during inspiration and decreased during expiration. A cyclic improvement in left ventricular systolic function could thus be expected during mechanical lung inflation. We tested this hypothesis in 31 septic patients who were mechanically ventilated in controlled mode by combining left ventricular measurements by transesophageal echocardiography with invasive arterial pressure recordings and Doppler analysis of pulmonary venous flow and right and left ventricular stroke volume. Lung inflation by tidal ventilation significantly improved left ventricular stroke volume (26 +/- 0.4 cm3/m2 [mean +/- SEM] vs. 22.3 +/- 0.4 cm3/m2 at end deflation). Beat-to-beat analysis of pulmonary venous flow velocity illustrated the boosting effect of lung inflation on pulmonary venous return. The beneficial effect of inspiration thus appeared directly related to a significant increase in left ventricular diastolic volume (60.3 +/- 1.5 cm3/m2 vs. 53.3 +/- 1.4 cm3/m2 at end-expiration) and to a lesser extent to an improved left ventricular ejection fraction. We concluded that the transient beneficial hemodynamic effect of tidal ventilation on the left ventricular pump is essentially mediated by an improved left ventricular filling.