• Ming Li, Qian Zhang, and Xiao-dong Chen.
• Department of Respiratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
• Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2009 Nov 3;89(40):2831-4.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of high PEEP versus low PEEP upon mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).MethodsThe databases Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL and CBM (Chinese Bio-Medical Literature & Retrieval System) were retrieved by using the key words ARDS, ALI, acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, adult respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory failure, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, ventilation, PEEP, and positive end expiratory pressure, so as to search the materials about the randomized controlled trials comparing the mortality of ARDS or ALI treated by high PEEP and low PEEP. Study reports were included if they: (1) enrolled over 10 patients; (2) enrolled adult human ARDS or ALI subjects treated with mechanical ventilation; (3) included high PEEP and low PEEP with significant differences; and (4) included hospital mortality.ResultsFive documents about randomized controlled clinical trials, including 2447 patients, met the enrollment criteria. The hospital mortalities of high PEEP and low PEEP groups were 34.2% (415/1215) and 37.7% (464/1232) respectively (RR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.82 - 1.01, P = 0.07). Sensitive analysis confirmed the nonexistence of differences in hospital mortality between these two groups (RR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.84 - 1.05, P = 0.25). Neither funnel plot nor rank correlation test regarding hospital mortality indicated the existence of publication bias (chi(2) = 8.26, P = 0.09).ConclusionThe use of high or low PEEP in oxygenation function does not affect hospital mortality in ARDS patients.

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