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Effect of two tidal volumes on oxygenation and respiratory system mechanics during the early stage of adult respiratory distress syndrome.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of two tidal volumes on gas exchange, lung mechanics, and hemodynamics in 12 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) within the first 72 hours of mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Tidal volume (VT) was increased by 40% from the initial value at fixed positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and matched minute ventilation by adjusting the respiratory rate (RR) of the ventilator. Initial VT and RR were 592 +/- 42 mL and 19 +/- 1 min-1, respectively. High VT amounted to 825 +/- 54 mL with a RR of 12 +/- 1 min-1. RESULTS: We found that at high VT (1) the index of oxygenation increased from 0.22 +/- 0.03 to 0.32 +/- 0.04 (P < .001) with a parallel decrease in the right to left venous admixture from 0.26 +/- 0.02 to 0.23 +/- 0.02 (P < .001), and in the ratio of physiological dead space to tidal volume (VDS/VT) from 0.53 +/- 0.05 to 0.46 +/- 0.04 (P < .01), without impairment to hemodynamics and (2) respiratory system compliance improved significantly from 34.8 +/- 2.8 mL/cm H2O to 37.2 +/- 2.9 mL/cm H2O (P < .05). In 4 patients, we performed pressure-volume curves on PEEP with the ventilator finding an upward concavity reflecting progressive alveolar recruitment with increasing inflation volume in 3. CONCLUSIONS: High-tidal ventilation in the early stage of ARDS improved gas exchange, suggesting recruitment during the inspiratory phase. However, the benefit of better oxygenation should be weighed against the potential risk of barotrauma induced at high VT.

Adolescent↗

Functional electrical stimulation of abdominal muscles to augment tidal volume in spinal cord injury.

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) of abdominal muscles as a method of enhancing ventilation was explored in six neurologically intact subjects and five subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) who had levels of injury between C4 and C7. Pulmonary ventilation was augmented in both groups predominantly due to an increase in tidal volume. The average increase in tidal volume during FES for the neurologically intact group was 350 ml, while in the SCI group it was 220 ml. The FES caused active volume decreases in both the lower thorax and upper abdomen, which together appear to be the mechanism behind the increases seen in tidal volume. Therefore, the proposed method might be useful in future clinical practice. The results indicate that FES of abdominal muscles should be more thoroughly explored as a potential technique of ventilatory support in SCI. The results also point to the necessity for further studies of maintaining the condition of the chest wall in the pulmonary rehabilitation of individuals with tetraplegia.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Procedural memory trace for increased tidal volume can be demonstrated in healthy volunteers.

The minority of healthy subjects can (without previous learning) breathe at exactly double of their resting tidal volume on demand. The aim of the present study was to find whether this estimate of tidal volume value can be learned and at what speed. Basic spirometric values were measured by Oxycon B in 20 healthy volunteers. They learned in one day to breathe at double of the resting tidal volume twice for 3 min. The existence and duration of the memory trace was ascertained four times (three times on the same day, once three weeks later). This engram can be demonstrated on the day of learning after 1 or 2 trials of 3 min each. Three weeks later the memory trace is weak but still present. This fact means that a new breathing pattern can be learned. During learning and tests the subjects hyperventilate but no correlation was seen between learning ability and intensity of hyperventilation.

Adult↗

Influence of tidal volume and positive end-expiratory pressure on inspiratory gas distribution and gas exchange during mechanical ventilation in horses positioned in lateral recumbency.

OBJECTIVE: To study effects of intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) with large tidal volumes and addition of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on maldistribution of ventilation in anesthetized horses positioned in lateral recumbency. ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURE: Anesthesia was induced by i.v. infusion of thiopental sodium and guiafenesin and was maintained with supplemental doses of thiopental and i.v. infusion of chloral hydrate. Functional separation of the lungs was achieved, using a tube-in-tube intubation technique. Intermittent positive-pressure ventilation of both lungs with air was done by use of an anesthetic circle system and a ventilator. Data were collected during spontaneous respiration and during IPPV, using increasing tidal volumes with and without PEEP of 10 and 20 cm of H2O. RESULTS: Uneven distribution of inspired gas between the lungs that existed during spontaneous respiration was not altered by IPPV and large tidal volumes. Addition of PEEP caused a significant and reversible shift of inspired gas to the dependent lung and preferentially increased functional residual capacity of the nondependent lung. This was accompanied by significant increase in PaO2. With IPPV, the combined effects of PEEP and large tidal volume caused an increase of the fractional distribution of inspired gas to the dependent lung from 34% to 50%, accompanied by an increase in PaO2 and alveolar dead space of both lungs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of PEEP during IPPV changes distribution of inspired gas. Increased in PaO2 can be attributed to improved ventilation-perfusion, especially in the dependent lung, in which previously collapsed lung units might have been reopened and participated again in gas exchange after redistribution of inspired gas. The most pronounced effects of IPPV and PEEP were associated with high airway pressures, which are likely to offset the beneficial effects of the increase of PaO2 on total oxygen availability to the tissues because of the expected negative effects on cardiac output.

Anesthesia, General↗

Stride length and respiratory tidal volume in exercising thoroughbred horses.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that locomotor-respiratory coupling in horses may provide a basis for the appropriate matching of lung ventilation to running speed and metabolic power. This was achieved by determining the effect on respiratory frequency and tidal volume in thoroughbred horses of changing running speed while maintaining a constant metabolic demand by also varying the incline of the treadmill. This procedure was performed at three different speeds at two different levels of metabolic rate. It appears that, in response to metabolic demands which are not directly related to speed, horses can control tidal volume independently of stride length but they do not vary respiratory frequency independently of stride frequency. When running at 0 degrees incline, however, they probably do not operate an elevated tidal volume, because of the increased energetic costs such an elevated tidal volume would incur.

Animals↗

Effect of body position on tidal volume and minute ventilation in very low birthweight infants.

BACKGROUND: To progress the clinical treatment of neonates, especially in the management of respiration, we have to be able to measure their pulmonary function appropriately. Various methods have been developed, but little is known about the pulmonary function of very low birthweight infants (VLBWI) because of the difficulty in taking their measurements with existing equipment. We have developed a very low dead space pneumotachograph to measure lung function in VLBWI. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used our pneumotachograph on 30 infants each weighing less than 1500 g at birth. The infants were intubated with endotracheal tubes of 2.5 or 2.0 mm diameter to measure tidal volume and minute ventilation in the prone and supine position. The tidal volume in the supine position was 6.99 +/- 0.42 mL/kg and 7.58 +/- 0.38 mL/kg in the prone position (mean +/- SE). The tidal volume was significantly larger in the prone than the supine position (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in minute ventilation and respiratory rates. CONCLUSION: The tidal volume significantly increased in the prone position in VBLWI, confirming the previous observation of larger healthy infants is also applicable to the very low birthweight infants.

Equipment Design↗

Influence of prone position on the extent and distribution of lung injury in a high tidal volume oleic acid model of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of body position on the extent and distribution of experimental lung damage in an oleic acid canine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome, using mechanical ventilation with high tidal volumes and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Experimental animal laboratory. SUBJECTS: Twelve anesthetized and paralyzed dogs. INTERVENTIONS: Ninety minutes after lung injury was induced by injection of oleic acid, 12 animals were randomized to be ventilated for 4 hrs, in either the supine (supine group, n = 6) or prone (prone group, n = 6) positions, using the same ventilatory pattern (F10(2) 0.6, PEEP > or = 10 cm H2O, and a tidal volume that generated a peak transpulmonary pressure of 35 cm H2O when implemented in the supine position). Regardless of randomization to position, the tidal volumes, F10(2), and PEEP were kept constant and the pulmonary artery occlusion pressure was maintained between 4 and 6 mm Hg for the duration of the study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At the end of the protocol, the lungs were excised for gravimetric determination (wet/dry weight ratio) and histologic examination (histologic score). Changes over time in the static pressure-volume curve of the lungs (obtained in the supine position) were also used as end-point variables. At baseline, hemodynamic and respiratory variables did not differ between groups. Just before randomization to position (90 mins after oleic acid injection), both groups presented similar lung static pressure-volume curves. Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (4.3 +/- 1.9 vs. 4.8 +/- 1.3 mm Hg [supine vs. prone group]), cardiac output (4.1 +/- 0.4 vs. 5.2 +/- 1.3 L/min [supine vs. prone group]), and venous admixture (36.7 +/- 20.7% vs. 28.3 +/- 19.4% [supine vs. prone group]) were also not significantly (p > .05) different when measured in the supine position. At the end of the experiment, lung gravimetric data in the two experimental groups were not statistically different, suggesting a similar extent of edema. Histologic abnormalities, however, were less in the prone group than in the supine group (p < .01), due primarily to marked differences in extent and severity in the dependent regions of the lungs. Static lung compliance improved over time in the prone group (34 +/- 9 to 46 +/- 19 mL/cm H2O)(p = .02), but not in the supine group (34 +/- 6 to 36 +/- 6 mL/cm H2O). CONCLUSIONS: After oleic acid-induced lung injury, animals ventilated with high tidal volume and PEEP undergo less extensive histologic change in the prone position than in the supine position. The prone position alters the distribution of histologic abnormalities.

Animals↗

Effects of decreasing inspiratory flow rate during simulated basic life support ventilation of a cardiac arrest patient on lung and stomach tidal volumes.

If the airway of a cardiac arrest patient is unprotected, basic life support with low rather than high inspiratory flow rates may reduce stomach inflation. Further, if the inspiratory flow rate is fixed such as with a resuscitator performance may improve; especially when used by less experienced rescuers. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of limited flow ventilation on respiratory variables, and lung and stomach volumes, when compared with a bag valve device. After institutional review board approval, and written informed consent was obtained, 20 critical care unit registered nurses volunteered to ventilate a bench model simulating a cardiac arrest patient with an unprotected airway consisting of a face mask, manikin head, training lung [with lung compliance, 50 ml/0.098 kPa (50 ml/cmH(2)O); airway resistance, 0.39 kPa/l/s (4 cmH(2)O/l/s)] oesophagus [lower oesophageal sphincter pressure, 0.49 kPa (5 cmH(2)O)] and simulated stomach. Each volunteer ventilated the model with a self-inflating bag (Ambu, Glostrup, Denmark; max. volume, 1500 ml), and a resuscitator providing limited fixed flow (Oxylator EM 100, CPR Medical devices Inc., Toronto, Canada) for 2 min; study endpoints were measured with 2 pneumotachometers. The self-inflating bag vs. resuscitator resulted in comparable mean +/- SD mask tidal volumes (945 +/- 104 vs. 921 +/- 250 ml), significantly (P < 0.05) higher peak inspiratory flow rates (111 +/- 27 vs. 45 +/- 21 l/min), and peak inspiratory pressure (1.2 +/- 0.47 vs. 78 +/- 0.07 kPa), but significantly shorter inspiratory times (1.1 +/- 0.29 vs. 1.6 +/- 0.35 s). Lung tidal volumes were comparable (337 +/- 120 vs. 309 +/- 61 ml), but stomach tidal volumes were significantly (P < 0.05) higher (200 +/- 95 vs. 140 +/- 51 ml) with the self-inflating bag. In conclusion, simulated ventilation of an unintubated cardiac arrest patient using a resuscitator resulted in decreased peak flow rates and therefore, in decreased peak airway pressures when compared with a self-inflating bag. Limited flow ventilation using the resuscitator decreased stomach inflation, although lung tidal volumes were comparable between groups.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation↗

Penetration of inhaled He and SF6 into alveolar space at low tidal volumes.

To study mixing of inspired gas with lung gas, penetration of simultaneously inspired helium (He) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) into alveolar space was determined in normal subjects at low tidal volumes (from 50 to 500 ml) and at varied lung volumes and speeds of inspiration/expiration. The volume of inspired gas reaching the alveolar space, termed alveolar-tidal volume, VTA, was calculated from preinspiratory lung volume, inspired volume, and inspired and expired alveolar test gas concentrations. The difference between the VTA values calculated for He and SF6, VTA(He) - VTA(SF6), was influenced by tidal volume, lung volume, and the speed of inspiration/expiration, but it was always positive. The results are qualitatively explainable on the basis of easier diffusive mixing of He in lung airways compared with SF6. Since Taylor dispersion would produce deeper penetration, and therefore higher VTA, for a less diffusible gas the results provide no evidence for its implication in pulmonary gas exchange.

Adult↗

Neonatal resuscitation 1: a model to measure inspired and expired tidal volumes and assess leakage at the face mask.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal resuscitation is a common and important intervention, and adequate ventilation is the key to success. In the delivery room, positive pressure ventilation is given with manual ventilation devices using face masks. Mannequins are widely used to teach and practise this technique. During both simulated and real neonatal resuscitation, chest excursion is used to assess tidal volume delivery, and leakage from the mask is not measured. OBJECTIVE: To describe a system that allows measurement of mask leakage and estimation of tidal volume delivery. METHODS: Respiratory function monitors, a modified resuscitation mannequin, and a computer were used to measure leakage from the mask and to assess tidal volume delivery in a model of neonatal resuscitation. RESULTS: The volume of gas passing through a flow sensor was measured at the face mask. This was a good estimate of the tidal volume entering and leaving the lung in this model. Gas leakage between the mask and mannequin was also measured. This occurred principally during inflation, although gas leakage during deflation was seen when the total leakage was large. A volume of gas that distended the mask but did not enter the lung was also measured. CONCLUSION: This system can be used to assess the effectiveness of positive pressure ventilation given using a face mask during simulated neonatal resuscitation. It could be useful for teaching neonatal resuscitation and assessing ventilation through a face mask.

Education, Medical, Graduate↗

Effect of tidal volume and frequency on the temporal fall in lung compliance.

In this study we have investigated how changes in respiratory frequency and tidal volume in anesthetized dogs affect the fall in dynamic compliance (Cdyn) that occurs with time after a hyperinflation. Results showed that increasing frequency [at controlled arterial (PaCO2)] PCO2 from 16 to 32 breaths/min had no effect on either the rate of fall or the magnitude of the fall up to 1 h after the hyperinflation. However, increasing the tidal volume from 300 to 750 ml abolished the fall in Cdyn from 10 to 50 min after the hyperinflation; the fall within the first 10 min remained unchanged. We also examined the effect of a simulated "hyperinflation" on the compliance of strips of parenchymal tissue in vitro. This result indicated that in the absence of surface forces, parenchymal tissue demonstrates a fall in compliance, which is complete within 10 min. Overall our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the fall in Cdyn after hyperinflation is a two-phase process. The initial rapid fall in Cdyn (i.e., within 10 min) may simply represent a passive recovery process from the hyperinflation stress on the parenchymal tissue. The slower fall occurring after 10 min likely results from progressive increases in surface tension, and this increase can apparently be blocked by increases in tidal volume.

Animals↗

The influence of fresh gas flow and inspiratory/expiratory ratio on tidal volume and arterial CO2 tension in mechanically ventilated surgical patients.

The relative importance of fresh gas flow and inspiratory/expiratory ratio in determining delivered tidal volume and PaCO2 was studied in anesthetized adult patients ventilated with a fixed ventilator bellows volume. The fresh gas flows studied were 2, 6, and 10 L/min, and inspiratory/expiratory ratio was either 1:2 or 1:4.5. Bellows volume and respiratory rate were held constant throughout the study. At the lowest fresh gas flow and smallest inspiratory/expiratory ratio, PaCO2 was 43 +/- 2 mm Hg. The PaCO2 decreased progressively and significantly with each increase in fresh gas flow during ventilation with either inspiratory/expiratory ratio setting. PaCO2 averaged 30 +/- 3 during ventilation with the highest fresh gas flow and largest inspiratory/expiratory ratio. As fresh gas flow increased, PaCO2 and tidal volume changed to a significantly greater degree in response to changes in inspiratory/expiratory ratio. These data demonstrate that altering either fresh gas flow or inspiratory/expiratory ratio can produce clinically significant perturbations in PaCO2 and tidal volume during anesthesia. These perturbations occur even if bellows volume is held constant. Furthermore, changes in inspiratory/expiratory ratio will affect these parameters to a greater degree as fresh gas flow is increased.

Adult↗

The Hayek oscillator. Nomograms for tidal volume and minute ventilation using external high frequency oscillation.

The Hayek Oscillator is a recent development in external high frequency ventilation and is a useful mode of ventilatory support during anaesthesia, in chronic respiratory failure and weaning in intensive care. The Hayek Oscillator is new and its application is growing, as are the number of patients who have benefited from its use. However, there are no clear guidelines on how best to adjust the oscillator to achieve optimum ventilation. A simple method of predicting changes in tidal volume and minute ventilation following adjustment would make the oscillator more useful. We present nomograms for tidal volume, minute ventilation and effective alveolar ventilation when the three variables, oscillator frequency, mean chamber pressure and peak-to-trough pressure span were adjusted. The frequency-tidal volume relationship was unaffected by a mean chamber pressure of 0, -5, -10 cmH2O, but altered with changes in peak-to-trough pressure span. We have also determined the effect of increasing negative extrathoracic pressure on functional residual capacity. The relationship between tidal volume and frequency was non-linear and related to the peak-to-trough pressure span. Mean functional residual capacity significantly increased from 2.25 l (SEM 0.10) without the cuirass at rest to 2.61 l (SEM 0.14) at -10 cmH2O (p < 0.05; n = 5) and 2.47 (SEM 0.12) at -20 cmH2O of mean chamber pressure. Vital capacity was unchanged by increasing extrathoracic pressure as was total lung capacity.

Adult↗

Tidal volume affects the response to inactivation of the rostral ventrolateral medulla.

During preliminary studies of the rostral ventrolateral medulla as a relay site for responses activated from forebrain, loss of the marked depressor effect of lidocaine, microinjected into lateral rostral ventrolateral medulla, was observed when rats were ventilated spontaneously rather than by artificial ventilation. The mechanism of this effect was studied in rats ventilated at a tidal volume of 2.5 ml. Bilateral injection of 4% lidocaine into lateral rostral ventrolateral medulla decreased mean arterial pressure by -47 +/- 8 mm Hg and heart rate by -68 +/- 21 beats/min. Reduction of tidal volume to 1.5 ml significantly attenuated the fall in mean arterial pressure and heart rate produced by lidocaine to -17 +/- 11 mm Hg and -12 +/- 8 beats/min. The decrease in tidal volume resulted in decreased arterial PO2 and pH, and increased PCO2. However, the depressor effect of lidocaine was not significantly affected by independently changing PO2 and PCO2. The physical stimuli associated with reduction of tidal volume (i.e., changes in lung inflation and chest wall movement) appeared to mediate the attenuated depressor response to the injection of lidocaine into the lateral rostral ventrolateral medulla. These data suggest that 1) tonic vasomotor activity derived from lateral rostral ventrolateral medulla is strongly influenced by altered mechanics of respiration, and 2) the anatomical location of the putative vasomotor center may not be defined by the lateral rostral ventrolateral medulla under all conditions.

Animals↗

Influence of tidal volume on left ventricular stroke volume variation measured by pulse contour analysis in mechanically ventilated patients.

OBJECTIVE: Real-time measurement of stroke volume variation by arterial pulse contour analysis (SVV) is useful in predicting volume responsiveness and monitoring volume therapy in mechanically ventilated patients. This study investigated the influence of the depth of tidal volume (V(t)) on SVV both during the state of fluid responsiveness and after fluid loading in mechanically ventilated patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study in a university hospital, adult cardiac surgery intensive care unit. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: 20 hemodynamically stable patients immediately after cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Stepwise fluid loading using colloids until stroke volume index (SVI) did not increase by more than 10%. Before and after fluid loading V(t) was varied (5, 10, and 15 ml/kg body weight) in random order. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Pulse contour SVV was measured before and after volume loading at the respective V(t) values. Thirteen patients responded to fluid loading with an increase in SVI greater than 10%, which confirmed volume responsiveness at baseline measurements. These were included in further analysis. During volume responsiveness SVV at V(t) of 5 ml/kg (7+/-0.7%) and SVV at V(t) of 15 ml/kg (21+/-2.5%) differed significantly from that at V(t) of 10 ml/kg (15+/-2.1%). SVV was correlated significantly with the magnitude of V(t). After volume resuscitation SVV at the respective V(t) was significantly reduced; further, SVV at V(t) of 5 ml/kg(-1) (5.3+/-0.6%) and 15 ml/kg (16.2+/-2.0%) differed significantly from that at V(t) of 10 ml/kg (10.2+/-1.0%). SVV and depth of V(t) were significantly related. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to intravascular volume status SVV is affected by the depth of tidal volume under mechanical ventilation. This influence must be regarded when using SVV for functional preload monitoring.

Analysis of Variance↗

Alveolar albumin leakage during large tidal volume ventilation and surfactant dysfunction.

Detergent given as an aerosol and large tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) have been observed, by us, to promote lung injury by an additive effect on alveolocapillary barrier function. The surfactant system may be further damaged if protein leakage occurs into the alveoli. The aim was to study the effect of detergent and LTVV on the alveolar leakage of albumin and also the effect of detergent on surface activity of lung washings and lung tissue extracts. Technetium-99m-labelled human serum albumin was given intravenously. The alveolar leakage of albumin was measured after perturbing the surfactant system with the detergent dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate either singly or in combination with LTVV. Four groups of rabbits were studied after 3 h of experimental ventilation. Surface tension measurements of tissue extracts, lung mechanics and gas exchange did not show any differences between groups. Wet lung weight and albumin leakage were significantly increased in the two groups subjected to LTVV compared with groups given normal tidal volume ventilation. Low doses of detergent did not affect surface activity of lung tissue extracts or alveolar leakage of albumin. LTVV increased alveolar leakage of albumin and produced oedema. No additive effect was seen when detergent and LTVV were combined.

Albumins↗

Occlusion maneuver to detect the relative contribution of the rib cage and abdomen to tidal volume using respiratory inductive plethysmography in infants.

Respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) records movements of the rib cage (RC) and abdomen (AB). A calibration procedure is needed to determine their relative contribution to tidal volume. We evaluated the hypothesis that the relative contribution of the RC and AB could be defined from respiratory efforts made during a brief occlusion of the airways in 10 infants aged 6.5-19 months, who were studied in quiet sleep. Six occlusions were performed during tidal breathing, with and without a pneumotachograph (PNT) and face mask in place. We analyzed the periods of occluded respiratory effort when RC and AB were in opposite directions (paradoxical movements), plotting RC vs. AB and performing a least-squares linear regression to estimate the ratio of the coefficients of AB/RC. Multiple linear regression of AB and RC over tidal volume during about 100 seconds of tidal breathing provided a reference standard. A ratio of 1 means that AB and RC make equal contributions to tidal volume. The feasibility of the occlusion maneuver was poor; only 51% of occlusions with PNT and 54% without led to a paradoxical movement with a good fit (r > 0.9). The mean coefficient of variation (range) was 9.35% (3.9-15.3%) with PNT and 12.1% (2.5%-26.3%) without it. The accuracy was very poor, with the mean AB/RC value being 0.94 with occlusions and 2.39 with multiple linear regression. The mean difference was 1.45 (SD 0.80), yielding 95% confidence limits for the difference of 0.12-3.01. We concluded that, due to its very poor accuracy and feasibility, the occlusion technique is not a useful method to calibrate RIP in infancy.

Abdomen↗

Physiological effects of reduced tidal volume at constant minute ventilation and inspiratory flow rate in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of changes in tidal volume (VT) with a constant inspiratory flow and minute ventilation (VE) on gas exchange and oxygen transport in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). DESIGN: A crossover study of three VT in two study groups, using patients as their own controls. SETTING: A medical-surgical intensive care unit in a tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Eight patients with ARDS and seven postoperative cardiac surgery patients with uncomplicated recoveries were studied during volume-controlled mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: During controlled mechanical ventilation, patients were first ventilated with a VT of 9-11 ml/kg. VT was then increased to 12-14 ml/kg (+ 25%) for 30 min and subsequently decreased to 6-8 ml/kg (- 25%) for 30 min by adjusting the respiratory rate (RR) while the inspiratory flow rate, VE, and inspiratory duty cycle (TL/T(TOT)) were kept constant. At the end, patients were ventilated with the baseline settings for another 30 min. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: VE, carbon dioxide production (VCO2) and oxygen consumption (VO2) were measured continuously with a gas exchange monitor, and cardiac output and arterial and mixed venous blood samples were taken at the end of each 30-min period to assess CO2 removal and oxygen transport. Alveolar minute ventilation (VA) and the deadspace to tidal volume ratio (VD/VT) were calculated from the Bohr equation. Despite large changes in VT, arterial oxygenation (PaO2) and oxygen transport (DO2) were unchanged throughout the study. When VT was increased, physiological VD increased from 448 +/- 34 ml to 559 +/- 46 ml (mean +/- SE) in ARDS (P < 0.001) and from 281 +/- 22 ml to 357 +/- 35 ml in CABG (P < 0.05). With the small VT, VD decreased to 357 +/- 22 ml in ARDS (P < 0.01), and to 234 +/- 24 ml in CABG (P < 0.05). In ARDS, VD/VT decreased from 0.57 +/- 0.03 to 0.55 +/- 0.03 (P < 0.05) with the large VT, and increased to 0.60 +/- 0.03 (P < 0.01), when VT was reduced. In CABG, VD/VT did not change significantly. ARDS patients had a higher PaCO2 than cardiac patients (P < 0.001), and only minor changes in PaCO2 were observed (for ARDS and CABG respectively, baseline 5.9 +/- 0.3 kPa and 4.1 +/- 0.1 kPa, large VT 5.7 +/- 0.3 kPa and 4.1 +/- 0.2 kPa, small VT 6.2 +/- 0.3 kPa and 4.2 +/- 0.2 kPa; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tidal volumes can be reduced to 6-8 ml/kg in ARDS patients without compromising oxygen transport, while adequate CO2 elimination can be maintained.

Adult↗