Controversial Aspects of PEEP Ventilation in Emergency Medicine

Abstract

Controlled mechanical ventilation using positive and expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a well-established therapeutic measure in intensive care. Its early application has been shown to markedly decrease morbidity and mortality, especially in polytraumatized patients with an acute respiratory distresss syndrome. It therefore seems reasonable to use positive end expiratory pressure as early as possible in the clinical treatment of emergency patients before extensive pulmonary changes have had time to develop completely.