Effects of pressure control and pressure support ventilation on ventilator induced lung injury in experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome with intra-abdominal hypertension

Abstract

In acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) increases intra-thoracic pressures, leading atelectasis and deterioration of respiratory mechanics and gas-exchange. The optimal setting of mechanical ventilation (MV) and its impact on respiratory function and ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in ARDS associated with IAH needs to be better clarified. Lung-protective MV with low tidal volume (VT) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) has been recommended; however, assisted MV may be a favorable alternative to controlled MV at the early phase of ARDS, since it requires less sedation, no paralysis and is associated with better lung protection, reducing the risk of VILI. We hypothesized that pressure-support ventilation (PSV) improve pulmonary morphofunction and minimize lung injury in ARDS with IAH.