Strategies for Optimal Lung Ventilation in ECMO for ARDS: The SOLVE ARDS Study

Summary

Due to lack of studies on mechanical ventilation strategies in patients with severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) supported with Veno-Venous Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VV ECMO), ventilator settings in this patient population are set arbitrarily.

In this two-phases prospective, interventional, pilot study we hope to gain physiologically relevant data on two aspects of mechanical ventilation in patients with severe ARDS supported with VV ECMO: (1) the use of tidal ventilation and (2) the level of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP).

1. PHASE 1: impact of tidal ventilation on VILI (10 patients) We hypothesized that a CPAP strategy that minimizes end-tidal pulmonary stress and strain mitigates VILI compared to the current mechanical ventilation practice that employs tidal ventilation in patients with severe ARDS on ECMO.

In this first phase we will test whether administering a distending inspiratory pressure to produce tidal ventilation is superior to a strategy where only continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is applied for ventilation induced lung injury (VILI) mitigation, as assessed by its impact on biotrauma (serum cytokines) and physiologic measurements.
2. PHASE 2: impact of PEEP on VILI (10 patients) We also hypothesized that adjusting PEEP to maximize respiratory system compliance reduces VILI in patients with severe ARDS on ECMO.

In the second phase we will therefore gain more insight as to whether a strategy that utilizes a PEEP level that correspond to best compliance is beneficial over Zero End-Expiratory Pressure (ZEEP). We will test the impact of both strategies on biotrauma (serum cytokines), physiologic parameters, and right ventricular function (transesophageal echocardiographic assessment).

Because ARDS patients supported with VV ECMO can be hemodynamically unstable, the use of imaging techniques that require transport, such as computed tomography, is limited. Therefore, bedside imaging techniques, such as pleural and lung ultrasound (PLUS) and focused bedside cardiac ultrasonography, are important tools for clinicians who care for these patients. This study will allow us to learn whether these techniques are feasible and valid in this patient population.

Furthermore, the knowledge gained from this study will allow us to assess the rationale and feasibility of performing a similar larger, randomized study in the future.

Conditions

• Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult

Interventions

DEVICE

PHASE 1: impact of tidal ventilation on VILI

PHASE 1A - Baseline - Standard Ventilation Protocol (PCV 10 cmH2O, PEEP 10 cmH2O, RR 10, FiO2 0.30) PHASE 1B - CPAP Strategy - CPAP 10 cmH2O for 1 hour PHASE 1C - Higher Tidal Ventilation Strategy (PCV 20 cmH2O, PEEP 10 cmH2O, RR 10, FiO2 0.30) PHASE 1D - Return to Baseline - Standard Ventilation Protocol

DEVICE

PHASE 2: impact of PEEP on VILI

PHASE 2A - Baseline - Standard Ventilation Protocol - (PCV 10 cmH2O, PEEP 10 cmH2O, RR 10, FiO2 0.30) PHASE 2B - Decremental PEEP Trial PHASE 2C - CPAP set at best compliance of respiratory system (as per decremental PEEP Trial) PHASE 2D - ZEEP PHASE 2E - Return to Baseline - Standard Ventilation Protocol

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Health Network, Toronto

  collaborator OTHER

• The Physicians' Services Incorporated Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Toronto

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Eddy Fan, MD, PhD · University Health Network, University of Toronto

• Niall D. Ferguson, MD, MSc · University Health Network, University of Toronto

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

16 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-09-30

Primary Completion

2015-12-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations