Current opinion in critical care
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Feb 2024
ReviewSetting positive end-expiratory pressure: does the 'best compliance' concept really work?
Determining the optimal positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) setting remains a central yet debated issue in the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).The 'best compliance' strategy set the PEEP to coincide with the peak respiratory system compliance (or 2 cmH 2 O higher) during a decremental PEEP trial, but evidence is conflicting. ⋯ The traditional 'best compliance' strategy for determining optimal PEEP settings in ARDS carries risks and overlooks some key physiological aspects. The advent of new technologies and methods presents more reliable strategies to assess recruitment and overdistention, facilitating personalized approaches to PEEP optimization.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Feb 2024
ReviewSetting positive end-expiratory pressure in the severely obstructive patient.
The response to positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requiring mechanical ventilation depends on the underlying pathophysiology. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of COPD, especially intrinsic PEEP (PEEPi) and its consequences, and the benefits of applying external PEEP during assisted ventilation when PEEPi is present. ⋯ In patients with COPD and dynamic hyperinflation receiving assisted mechanical ventilation, the application of low levels of external PEEP can minimize work of breathing, facilitate ventilator triggering and improve patient-ventilator interaction.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Feb 2024
ReviewOptimal positive-end expiratory pressure weaning in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients.
Positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a tool in managing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In this review, we discuss the various approaches to weaning PEEP after the acute phase of ARDS. ⋯ Although further prospective studies are warranted, we should consider using a physiologic approach to PEEP weaning in ARDS rather than a one size fits all model, which is currently the standard used in many clinical trials and throughout many ICUs.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Feb 2024
ReviewSetting positive end-expiratory pressure: using the pressure-volume curve.
To discuss the role of pressure-volume curve (PV curve) in exploring elastic properties of the respiratory system and setting mechanical ventilator to reduce ventilator-induced lung injury. ⋯ In conclusion, PV curve is an easily available bedside tool: its correct interpretation can be extremely valuable to enlighten potential for lung recruitability and select a high or low positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) strategy. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that PV curve can play a significant role in PEEP and driving pressure fine tuning: clinical studies are needed to prove whether this technique will improve outcome.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Feb 2024
ReviewVentilation during extracorporeal gas exchange in acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Accumulating evidence ascribes the benefit of extracorporeal gas exchange, at least in most severe cases, to the provision of a lung healing environment through the mitigation of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) risk. In spite of pretty homogeneous criteria for extracorporeal gas exchange application (according to the degree of hypoxemia/hypercapnia), ventilatory management during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)/carbon dioxide removal (ECCO 2 R) varies across centers. Here we summarize the recent evidence regarding the management of mechanical ventilation during extracorporeal gas exchange for respiratory support. ⋯ The best compromise between reduction of native lung ventilatory load, extracorporeal gas exchange efficiency, and strategies to preserve lung aeration deserves further investigation.