Low Tidal Volume Ventilation in Non-ARDS Patients

Maybe this prevents acute respiratory distress syndrome, but the evidence isn't convincing yet.

For more than a decade, low tidal volume ventilation (6 cc/kg ideal body weight; plateau pressure <30 cm H₂O) has been the standard of care for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Whether this strategy also prevents development of ARDS is the subject of continued debate.

In this meta-analysis, researchers examined data from 5 observational studies (1897 patients) and from 15 randomized, controlled trials (RCTs; 925 patients). Each study involved paired populations who received either low tidal volume (range, 5–9 mL/kg) or traditional (range, 9–12 mL/kg) ventilation. Most patients underwent planned surgeries, and most mechanical ventilation was of very short duration (median, 7 hours). Many of the RCTs did not have inten…

Reviewing Author

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar