Set Positive End-expiratory Pressure during Protective Ventilation Affects Lung Injury

Background: The most appropriate method of determining positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) level during a lung protective ventilatory strategy has not been established.

Methods: In a lavage-injured sheep acute respiratory distress syndrome model, the authors compared the effects of three approaches to determining PEEP level after a recruitment maneuver: (1) 2 cm H2O above the lower inflection point on the inflation pressure-volume curve, (2) at the point of maximum curvature on the deflation pressure-volume curve, and (3) at the PEEP level that maintained target arterial oxygen partial pressure at a fraction of inspired oxygen of 0.5.

Results: Positive end-expiratory pressure set 2 cm H2O above the lower inflection point resulted in the least injury over the course of the study. PEEP based on adequate arterial oxygen partial pressure/fraction of inspired oxygen ratios had to be increased over time and resulted in higher mRNA levels for interleukin-8 and interleukin-1[beta] and greater tissue inflammation when compared with the other approaches. PEEP at the point of maximum curvature could not maintain eucapneia even at an increased ventilatory rate.